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As part of the efforts to ensure the highest quality coverage and effective measles campaign in the state with a target of over 700,000 children to be reached, Prof. Ivara Esu, deputy governor of Cross River State has flagged off the 2022 State Integrated Measles Vaccine Campaign and the Introduction of the Rota Vaccine in Calabar.
The event featured the introduction of Rotavirus vaccine that was flagged off earlier in Abuja. The vaccine helps prevent diarrhea usually caused by Rotavirus in children.
Speaking at the event, the deputy governor used the occasion to appreciate the efforts of international partners like the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other partners for collaborating with the state government in the health sector, particularly towards safeguarding the health of children in the state
Esu, noted that the seeming increase in the occurrence of measles in the world is caused by the act of negligence from people who have stopped the Covid-19 safe practices and preventive measures such as wearing the mask, social distancing etc.
"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."
"Transmittable diseases that usually would have been prevented with masks and social distancing would have the opportunity to spread much faster. Children who have missed routine immunization would have the opportunity to take the vaccine. I want to also thank UNICEF, WHO, NPHCDA, and other development partners for their continuous support."
He also advised mothers to partake in the exercise by bringing out their children, aged nine months and below five years, for vaccination against the deadly measles disease irrespective of previous vaccination status.
"I want to encourage our mothers and the children to come forth and have this immunization. Measles is a very dangerous disease for children. It has a lot of other things it can cause." He said.
Earlier in her address, the Director-General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, noted that although measles was one of the vaccine-preventable diseases of childhood, it still accounts for a large proportion of deaths among under-five children in Nigeria.
Ekpenyong said, 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."
She also maintained that the vaccine is totally free and will be made available in all our health facilities and it is also going to be part of this integrated measles campaign. She also mentioned that adults are not left out in this campaign. They will also be receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
While explaining that 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, Ekpenyong appealed to parents, guardians, caregivers, and Nigerians, in general, to make their children and wards available for the vaccination campaign, as the whole process has been decentralized such that health workers will not only be in the facilities to render the services, but they will also be moving from house to house, church to church, worship centers, marketplaces, schools, public places, and others to make sure that no child is missed."
According to the DG, they are targeting 700, 000 children within the ages of 0-5 years across the state, adding that the integrated campaign will run from November 3 to 10, 2022 and the state will achieve 100% coverage.
She appreciated the Federal Government and the commitment of His Excellency, Senator Professor Ben Ayade who has ensured that the integrated campaign is flagged off successfully.
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