PARENTS have been urged to give consent for their children to be immunised through the National Meningococcal (Men-C) Immunisation Program.
The Ministry of Health is reiterating that Meningococcal disease is a deadly disease and it’s in the best interest of the children that they should get immunised.
Ø For children aged 1-5 years old, who do not attend school, parents and guardians can get them immunised by taking them to the nearest health centre or nursing station.
Ø For children aged 5 -17 years old, and in school, immunisation teams will be visiting schools and immunising children under parental consent. If any child misses out on their immunisation at school, parents are encouraged to take their child to the nearest health centre or nursing station.
Ø For children aged 18-19 years old, undertaking tertiary level studies, stays home or is working, it is advised that you visit the nearest health centre or nursing station
Ø Consent forms are provided to children under the age of 18 years, and immunisation will only be given to those children with a signed parental consent form.
Families are advised to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of this deadly disease and practice proper hygiene to prevent it from spreading. Men-C is treatable when caught in its early stages, but early detection is key to survival. If there is any sign suspect meningococcal disease, immediately go to a health facility to be assessed.
