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Kwara State Government says it will commence another round of vaccination for children between the ages of two and five years.
Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency,
Professor Nusirat Elelu announced this at a One-day Stakeholders Engagement Meeting in Ilorin.
Professor Elelu who was represented by the Director, Community Health Services, Mrs Rukayat Ayodeji, stated that the exercise tagged the Big Catch Up campaign was designed to bridge the gap in immunization coverage.
According to her, the programme aims to strengthen routine immunization which protects children from preventable diseases, saves lives and helps to ensure that all eligible children are fully immunized.
Professor Elelu explained that the vaccination campaign will take place in three low performing immunization Local Government Areas which are Baruten, Ifelodun and Ilorin East.
On her part the State Mobilization Officer of the Agency, Dr Dupe Shittu, stated that the National Immunization Plus Days for ages zero to five years, will hold between April 26th to 29th.
Dr.Shittu pointed out that the immunization would improve the immunity of children against polio which causes paralysis.
She added that health workers and volunteers would embark on house to house campaign,visit religious houses and schools to administer two drops of the vaccine into the mouth of eligible children.
Also speaking, Mr Isiaka Jimoh, the UNICEF Consultant for Big CatchUp, enjoined all stakeholders to take ownership of the programme and sensitize people on the importance of the vaccination.
Mr.Jimoh pointed that it would result in more robust and sustainable public health outcomes in Kwara.
Present at the meeting were representatives of the Emir of Ilorin, Christian Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN, the Military, meyetiAllah, NOA , market leader stakeholders.
By Muinat Usman
