The Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muazu Musa Omeiza, has said the state government is targeting more than 1.9 million children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years with the measles and rubella vaccine, protecting them from two highly infectious and life-threatening diseases.
This was stated at the inauguration ceremony of the integrated campaign against measles and rubella in Lokoja, sponsored by UNICEF and other donors.
“We are rolling out the new oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) to strengthen our defense against any resurgence of the polio virus and maintain Nigeria’s hard-earned polio-free status.
“In some of our unreached communities, we are introducing the HPV vaccine to girls ages 9 to 14 and conducting follow-up in communities where girls within the target age range may have been overlooked. The HPV vaccine aims to prevent cervical cancer, which has claimed too many women’s lives – lives we can now save through timely vaccination.
“The campaign has come at a critical time across the country and globally, where we are seeing a rise in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases due to immunity gaps worsened by disruptions in services over recent years.
“Our teams are prepared. We have carried out micro-planning down to the ward level. Cold chain and logistics have been mobilized. Social mobilization teams are working to engage all segments 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 Immunization 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 and rubella vaccine.
He praised the state government, UNICEF and other donors who sponsored the programme.
In the area of ​​challenges, he further revealed that lack of funds prevents them from reaching Fulani settlements in that local government for immunization.
He called for more funds so that children of the Fulani community can always benefit from the vaccine.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent praised the Kogi State Government, UNICEF and other donors for the sponsorship.
Hajia Rabiu Suleiman and Miss Rebecca Joseph respectively said that vaccination of their children will improve their good health, and they are grateful for the sponsorship of UNICEF.
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