A daylong sensitisation workshop for district authorities and TAC members on HINI Vaccination Campaign recently ended at Governor's Bantaba in Basse Upper River Region( URR).

The workshop, which was funded by WHO in collaboration with UNICEF, was organised by the Ministry of Health.Declaring the workshop open, Momodou S Jallow,deputy governor URR explained to the  participants the significance of the campaign. He stated that, since most of Gambians are travellers, the vaccination will help prevent the spread of HINI in the country.

He made it clear that eachone should consider it as his or her duty to ensure a successful vaccination campaign. He commended the ministry of health and its partners for their enormous efforts in improving  the health sector. He called on district authorities to work hard so that the target individuals are vaccinated.

Abdoulie Camara from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit of the Ministry of Health who is also the National Coordinator and focal point of HINI, highlighted the rational  for sensitising both tac members and district authorities, he explained that, it is meant to enhance an effective district sensitisation campaign.

He further said that, this vaccination campaign is targeting only 10% of The Gambia population which includes health workers, pregnant mothers, Diabetic patients, chronic disease patients (asthma, hypertension, obesity) and children under 10-11 years. While dwelling on the symptoms of pandemic influenza HINI, Camara said that, the symptoms are characterised by fever, cough or sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.

 On spread and prevention of the disease  Camara explained that, the disease can be spread from one person to another through coughing and sneezing among others. The disease he added, can be prevented through regular washing of hands with soap and water. One  must also refrain from handshaking, kissing or hugging an infected person. He deemed the sensitisation  very essential  and urged TAC members to consider themselves important in the sensitisation campaign.

For his part, Dawda Sowe, Senior Program Officer at expanded programme on immunisation E.P.I  called on district authorities and TAC members to work together for the success of the campaign. He commended the ministry and its partners for their diligent work.