HEALTH COMMISSIONER ASSURES VACCINES SAFETY AS ANAMBRA SETS FOR MEASLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
By Nnedinma Okeke/Chukwudi Nwauba :
In preparation for the Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign in the State, the Commissioner, State Ministry of Health (SMOH), Dr Afam Obidike has assured of the safety of vaccines as they go through a detailed process before use in the State and Country at large.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during a one-day Town Hall engagement meeting with Stakeholders organised by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health (SMOH), and Partners.
The meeting had in attendance, Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, Presidents General (PGs) of Town Unions, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Women Leaders, Youths, Media, ASPHCDA team, and Partners: NPHCDA, UNICEF, WHO, CHAI, and AFENET.
Dr Obidike noted that healthcare workers have been trained on proper management of any adverse effects that may arise following immunization.
“Measles disease is deadly, and to protect our children, we have the duty as Stakeholders in our various communities to ensure that our people are well informed and that they do not miss the opportunity to vaccinate their children against the disease,” he said.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Pharm Chisom Uchem, in her remark noted that as the State sets to commence the Measles vaccination campaign, the town hall meeting would aid enlighten the participants on the need and importance of the vaccination exercise in the state.
“As immunization Ambassadors, we have the capacity to talk to our various communities and the essence of this town hall meeting is to enable us to talk about issues regarding immunization, including those that have transpired in the past, to ensure we do not have a reoccurrence in this campaign.
“We want this campaign to be a success in Anambra State and we do not want hesitancy in any form, as this is for the good of our children and knowledge gained today would enable us give accurate and correct information to our communities on the campaign,” Pharm Uchem said.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Representative, Mrs Josephine Erugo in her remarks, commended the works of the Stakeholders in ensuring success of immunization campaigns in Anambra.
She urged for their full support in the forthcoming Intergrated Measles vaccination campaign in the State so that together the State would achieve its desired result of 95 percent coverage with no eligible child left unimmunized.
The UNICEF Vaccine Security and Logistics (VSL) Consultant, Mr Stanley Osum explained that all vaccines procured with the aid of UNICEF for Nigeria were approved by WHO, NAFADAC and all relevant bodies and are safe, potent, and effective.
Representative of UNICEF Abuja Office, Mr Ephraim Ezekiel urged that Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) should always be reported to healthcare workers who then reports it to the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) for proper investigation and follow-up.
He emphasized that all vaccines for use in the State and Country at large has been tested and certified 100 percent safe and effective for use.
The Traditional Ruler of Uke, Idemili North LGA, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Charles C. Agbala thanked the State Government who through the SMOH and ASPHCDA together with its Partners has organised the Stakeholders meeting to enlighten them on importance of the Measles vaccination campaign.
He assured that Ndi Igwe who were at the grassroots would do their best to support and ensure that the Measles campaign exercise would be fully implemented in their communities despite the infiltration of false information on vaccines.
The Anambra Chapter, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Ven. Joseph Nweke thanked the program organisers for the interventions to save children from deadly diseases.
He assured of the churches support in ensuring that the Integrated Measles vaccination campaign is successful in the State and children protected against the disease.
*Nnedinma, Chukwudi are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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