The Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Muazu Musa Omeiza, has said the state government is targeting over 1.9 million children aged between 9 months to 14 years, with the Measles-Rubella vaccination, protecting them from two highly infectious and potentially deadly diseases.
He stated this at the Integrated Measles-Rubella campaign flag-off ceremony in Lokoja sponsored by UNICEF and other donors.
“We are deploying the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) to strengthen our defence against any resurgence of the polio virus and maintain Nigeria’s hard-earned polio-free status.
“In some of our communities yet unreached, we are introducing the HPV vaccine for girls aged between 9 to 14 years and following up in communities where girls within the targeted age range may have been missed. The HPV vaccine aims to prevent cervical cancer, which has claimed too many lives of women, lives we can now save through timely vaccination.
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“The campaign came at a critical time across the country and globally, where we are witnessing rising cases of vaccine-preventable diseases due to immunity gaps worsened by disruptions in services during the past years.
“Our teams are prepared. We have conducted microplanning down to the ward level. Cold chain and logistics have been mobilised. Social mobilisation teams are working to engage every segment of the community. The structures are in place; what we need now is the full participation of every household,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Okehi local government area Immunisation Officer (LIO), Mr Salami Oni Salihu, while speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday in Ihima, stated that they are targeting about 88,854 children for Polio vaccination, while they are also targeting 147,580 children for Measles-Rubella vaccination.
He commended the state government and UNICEF, and other donors that sponsored the programme.
In the area of challenges, he further disclosed that the lack of funds is preventing them from reaching Fulani settlements in that local government for immunisation.
He pleaded for more funds so that children in the Fulani community can always benefit from the immunisation.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent commended the Kogi State government and UNICEF, and other donors, for the sponsorship.
Hajia Rabiu Suleiman and Miss Rebecca Joseph respectively said that given their children’s immunisation will enhance their good health, as they thank the sponsored UNICEF.
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