Chima Azubuike
The Gombe State Government says it has targeted no fewer than 131,815 under five children for polio immunisation in Gombe Local Government Area.
This was disclosed to PUNCH Healthwise on Friday, by the Coordinator, Primary Healthcare Gombe Local Government, Aishatu Umar, during a ceremony to mark the beginning of the National Immunisation Plus programme.
It was gathered that beneficiaries are expected to get two drops of polio vaccine to build their immunity against the virus.
According to Umar, about 131,815 children would benefit from the vaccination, which is geared towards improving their living conditions.
She said, “Our target for the NIPs is 131,815 and Inshallah, can we surpass it? As we have done in the past, where we passed our target, we are hoping that this same thing will happen in this round.”
While still highlighting the importance of the vaccination, the PHC Coordinator said, “We are witnessing the flag-off of the National Immunisation Plus where under-five children are given two drops of polio as a preventive measure against the virus. This goes a long way in giving them immunity against other diseases.
“There are two phases, the first started yesterday when our people went to the streets, markets and schools to immunise our children with Direct Oral Polio Vaccine. There are two days for the streets and from tomorrow, they are going to start the house-to-house vaccination.
“We will immunise all of them under five years. Any child above five is not eligible for this immunisation. During this time, we will give mothers key messages like other vaccinations that are not given so that they can go to the hospital or any nearby primary healthcare facility to get their children fully immunized. This is so that we can be free from preventable diseases killing our under-five children.
Also speaking, the Health Educator for the Gombe LGA, Shehu Wakili, disclosed that about 133 teams comprising supervisors, recorders and announcers have been trained for the exercise.
He said, “In Gombe Local Government, we have 133 teams and each team has a supervisor and recorder. The supervisor can serve as the vaccinator and we have a recorder and community leader for the house-to-house team.
“We have a special team including the supervisor who serves as vaccinator and we also have a recorder and town announcer. The town announcer goes around the community to mobilise the people, telling them how important the immunisation is.”
He called on parents to give the teams maximum support, adding, “In the implementation of this round, we know people of Gombe State and the LGA are understanding people.
On his part, the Senior District Head, Alhaji Usman Shettima, Shettima Gombe, called on traditional and religious leaders to give the vaccination exercise the maximum support it requires.
Also, the Acting Chairman of Gombe LGA, Alhaji Aliyu Dawaki, said “The Local Government is ready to give the maximum support for this activity to succeed.”
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