By Ogar Monday
Amidst growing concerns that reducing restrictions earlier put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 has led to a jump in the occurrence of transmittable diseases, the Cross River Government has revealed that it aims to vaccinate 700 thousand children from the age of five and below across the State in this year’s Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign holding from November 3rd and 10th, 2022.
The State has recorded at least 35 Measles, and 3 Monkeypox cases in 2022 alone according to the Nigerian Center for Disease Control.
The State had last month, announced its plans to vaccinate target population after confirming cases of the disease.
And, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu while flagging off the campaign which includes the introduction of the Rota Vaccine in Calabar, the State’s capital, he blamed the laxity that came with the focus on COVID-19 for the recent increase and reoccurrence of transmittable diseases.
“We have noticed that there is a seeming increase in the occurrence of measles worldwide, especially because COVID-19 has just ended and we have stopped wearing the mask, social distancing, and other preventive measures,” Esu said.
He commended partners including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and two United Nations bodies – the World Health Organisation, as well as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund for working with the State to achieve Universal Health Coverage and stop preventable diseases.
Earlier, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, revealed that measles remains one of the leading causes of death for children under-five in Nigeria, hence the need for the integrated campaign to achieve quality coverage despite its routine nature.
“Although the measles vaccine is part of the routine vaccine, the high-impact campaign will bridge the gaps of children that may have missed out on routine immunization. This gives us the opportunity to ensure that they get vaccinated against measles,” Dr. Ekpenyong said.
On the Rota vaccine, she averred that it was aimed at preventing diarrhea which is usually caused by Rotavirus in children.
Dr. Ekpenyong who said both vaccines are free and available at all health facilities across the State, encouraged parents to make their children available for the vaccination, as measles is a dangerous and infectious disease that spreads rapidly from one infected child to another and a major cause of blindness, malnutrition, and death among children.
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