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Cameroon: Polio Vaccine - No Worries
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
4 July 2008
Posted to the web 4 July 2008
Brenda Yufeh
Public Health Minster has rejected allegations that the polio vaccine used in Cameroon is harmful.
«Vaccination against polio in Cameroon is an oral one. That is, a drop of the polio vaccine is introduced into the month of a child. There is no injectable vaccine against polio in Cameroon". This declaration was made yesterday by the Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda, during a press conference to wipe out claims that the polio vaccine used in Cameroon might be harmful. The press conference, which took place in the presence of the Minister of Communication, Jean Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, comes at a time when there is news that the vaccine DTPolioR used in France against diphtheria, tetanus and polio causes allergy to children more than six years. Minister André Mama Fouda underscored that DTPolioR does not exist in Cameroon.
Minister André Mama Fouda explained that there are various forms of DTPolioR. But the injectable form, which has caused problems in France, does not exist in Cameroon and it is not being used on the official vaccination programme in Cameroon. The injectable form of DTPolioR , which is found in Cameroon since 2006, is DultavaxR. But the vaccine which is not included within the National Vaccination Programme is destined for children more than eleven years. Health experts stressed that DultavaxR which is, used by private structures does not create any problem like DTPolioR which have been withdrawn from the French market.
Investigations have proven that the harmful form of DTPolioR does not exist in Cameroon. But if in any case the product is fraudulently seen anywhere in the country, the Minister of Public Health have officially forbidden its use and declared it banned. The public health boss used the occasion to reassure the population that all vaccines used in Cameroon have gone through strict security and control with partners such as World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF. According to Mama Fouda Cameroon collaborates directly with WHO and UNICEF for the buying, conservation and the administration of vaccines. Even vaccines that have been put in the market are verified by the direction of pharmacy and medicines at the Ministry of Public Health.
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Vaccination is a priority activity of the Ministry of Public Health as it is essential in the prevention of diseases evitable by vaccination such as yellow fever, measles, hepatitis B, neonatal tetanus and particularly polio which is said to be on a positive trend of eradication through constant vaccination of the vulnerable group. As such, people should not hesitate to participate in routine vaccination days and campaigns. This is why the Ministry of Public Health will, by the end of this month, organise the second edition of the health and nutrition week for children and mothers during which vaccinations, administration of vitamins A, deworming and malaria prevention amongst pregnant women will take place.
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