Mr Dawda Sowe, senior Programme Officer at the Expanded Programme on Immunisation of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has informed the Health Matters that immunisation is the process of rendering subject immune or of becoming immune or protected against a particular disease.

Mr Sowe who spoke with our reporter in an exclusive interview yesterday said immunisation against infectious disease is one of the most essential components of primary health care. According to him, the goal of immunisation in any one individual is prevention of disease while that of the population groups is the eradication of disease.

Mr Sowe noted that the Gambia has achieved tremendous success in the field of immunisation services, adding that the Gambia was declared polio free in 2004 by the World Health Organisation. This, he added is as a result of the disease causing organism not been isolated in the country coupled with high immunisation coverage. He stated that this was also made possible by the efforts from the general public who bring in their children for immunisation and the commitment of health workers to deliver effective services.