Malawi VP Kachali launches rotavirus vaccine
Malawi’s Vice President, Khumbo Kachali, Monday launched the rotavirus vaccine, which will protect children under five from severe diaorhea. The event took place at Ntchisi Community ground.
Speaking at the function, the vice president while observing that dioarrhea is a serious complexity and killer disease among young children in the country, he asked parents and guardians to utilize the vaccine to save lives.
“Diarrhoea is a big problem in our country and therefore, I urge all Malawians, especially mothers to take their children to the hospital to receive the vaccine. This vaccine will reduce child mortality in our country” said Kachali.
He further asked chiefs to be on the fore front in promoting the vaccine through encouraging their subjects to take the children to hospital for the vaccine, saying government appreciates the role chiefs in the country play on different health initiatives.
The vice president also took the opportunity to advise the people to observe hygienic practices when handling water and food items in their households to further deal with and other diseases.
“ We need to wash hands before handling and eating any food, wash hands after eating, wash hands after changing nappies and after using toilets” he advised.
He took time to applaud partners like World Health Organisation, USAID and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for assisting with funds for the introduction of the vaccine in the country.
Speaking earlier on, Traditional Authority Malenga thanked government for introducing the vaccine, saying it will prevent deaths of many children who die with diarrhea in the country.
During the launch, five children below one year old got vaccinated against the rotavirus to symbolize the required age for the vaccine.
Symbolically, the vice president helped to administer the first vaccine to an 11 week-old baby boy, Onex Antony of Mangulu Village TA Kachimo, Ntchisi.
