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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Online Reporter

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has introduced additional vaccines to the routine Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) vaccination schedule for children to ensure an improved health care system.

In a statement Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Japer Chimedza said three vaccines had been added.

“This communication serves to inform that the Ministry has taken a policy decision to include the following vaccines into the routine EPI vaccination schedule.

“Effective 5 June 2021 all children to receive Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine at nine months, effective 1 August 2021 all children to receive Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) second dose at nine months of age. Effective 1 August 2012 all children (boys and girls) to receive additional Td boosters at five and 10 years of age,” he said.

In May the Ministry of Health and Child Care conducted a nationwide vaccination programme against Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV).

The vaccine was introduced through a nationwide catch-up vaccination campaign which integrates vaccines for Polio Prevention (IPV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) including Vitamin A supplementation.

TCV helps to prevent typhoid fever, which is a life-threatening infection and outbreaks are increasing in the country.

Typhoid is a life-threatening condition caused by a bacteria called salmonella typhi and infection results in high death rates.

The new Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is set to protect children aged below 15 years from typhoid which has been detected in Bulawayo, Harare and Gweru.

The TCV targets children between nine months and 15 years in line with recommendations from global and local immunisation experts.

@DubeMatutu