Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency has called for increased community involvement as it begins its Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs) for measles on Oct. 19.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday in Benin, Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen, Executive Secretary of the agency, said community support was needed to ensure a positive change in immunisation uptake.
Izedonmwen said,”We have observed over time that when communities get involved in health programmes, we see positive changes.
“So we are collaborating better to ensure that no Edo child is missed out in this immunisation.”
He commended the stakeholders for their participation in the meeting, urging them to disseminate information shared.
Mrs Irene Uabor, Head, Health Education unit of the agency, said the SIAs, scheduled to run from Oct. 19 to 27 was to achieve 95 per cent vaccination coverage for measles in the state.
Uabor said, “Nigeria has one of the highest incidences of measles and cases of children who have not gotten any dose of measles vaccination globally.
“SIAs are to complement routine childhood immunisation and are important tools to meet global eradication targets for vaccine preventable diseases”.
She added that the SIAs would be done in schools, churches, mosques, homes, and appealed for care givers compliance.
Also, Nora Eyo, Edo Coordinator, World Health Organisation, said the SIAs became necessary to reduce the burden of measles in the country.
Eyo said, “The programme is for the benefit of Edo people. Cases of measles are recorded in some local government areas, so this programme is to protect our children.
“We are beginning to see vaccination rejection from churches which wasn’t the case before.
“It is important that we do a successful supplemental measles immunisation exercise to ensure an all round coverage.”
On his part, Kenneth Mac-fisi, Social and Behavioural Change consultant, UNICEF, Edo, urged the collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure the uptake of vaccines.
“As partners, we are here to support the state government to ensure that every child is properly vaccinated.
“We want every LGA to take ownership of the upcoming immunisation exercise seriously.” (NAN)
