Anambra State Government says it is committed to the task of protecting the children of the State from polio virus and contribute in sustaining the polio free status of the country.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala stated this during a press briefing organized by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency ahead of the National Immunization Plus Days against Polio which will begin on Saturday January 29, 2022 until Tuesday February 1, 2022.
Correspondent, David Okpokwasili reports that while speaking at the media briefing held at the Jerome Udorji State Secretariat Awka, the Health Commissioner assured that no Anambra Child will be missed as the effort is to protect them from the ravaging impact of polio virus.
According to him, poliovirus has no cure, causes lifelong paralysis and may lead to death in some cases, stating that the only solution against the disease is to give children two drops of the oral polio vaccine to protect them from the viral disease.
Dr Okpala explained that the vaccine is even more important at this time when three hundred and ninety-five cases of the Circulating Mutant Poliovirus type two have been reported across twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory which were caused by immunity gaps in children.
The Health Commissioner said that those eligible for the Immunization are Children between zero to fifty-nine months irrespective of previous immunization status while outlining that other antigens that will be given according to schedule and status include HBV 0, BCG, Inactivated Polio Vaccine, Pentavalent vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Measles vaccine, Yellow fever vaccine, Meningitis vaccine, Vitamin A Supplementation, and Tetanus Diphtheria which will be administered to pregnant women and women of child bearing age.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu said that every child is targeted to be reached in the exercise and remphasized that no child is missed.
In their separate goodwill messages, a representative of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Obiora Agbakwuru and the Cluster Consultant of World Health Organization in Anambra State, Mrs Uju Orjiagu assured of the continued support of their agencies to the state government, saying the effective model which the state government has adopted in its Immunization strategy is commendable and should be adopted by other states while they also asked the media to continue to support in the effort to reach every child with the vaccine.
