Preschoolers, including immigrants, to get polio vaccine

State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon (left) presents certificate of appreciation to a participant during the launch of the state-level polio immunisation campaign in Taman Telipok Ria, Tuaran. -NSTP/Malai Rosmah Tuah.

By Olivia Miwil - December 27, 2019 @ 7:40pm

TUARAN: Sabah government is targeting all children under five years old, including non-citizens, to receive immunisation against poliomyelitis (polio) by June next year.

State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon said a state-level polio immunisation campaign, which began at Taman Telipok Ria here, would be extended throughout the state in phases.

"Our target is that by end of June next year, all children under five will be given two polio immunisation doses," he said, adding that the second dose would be given one month after the first dose.

On Dec 8, reports emerged that a 3-month-old Malaysian male infant from Tuaran, Sabah was infected with the polio virus.

It was Malaysia’s first such case in 27 years, after it was declared free of the dreaded disease.

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the polivirus and can be prevented only through innoculation.

The virus can be spread from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route.

The programme, which started from 10am until 530pm, saw more than 1,000 children being inoculated with oral vaccine.

Also present was Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.