(File copy of Polio vaccine campaign scene in the north)
By Abdallah el-Kurebe
The World Health Organization (WHO) is to provide adequate vaccines and incentives in order to ensure success of the December round of the National Polio Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in the 23 local governments of Sokoto State.
State Coordinator of the Organization, Dr. Isyaku Ayodeji said during a one-day orientation session organised for the members of Journalists Against Poliomyelitis (JAP) in Sokoto on Wednesday that “WHO will provide the local government areas with the polio vaccines and incentives that include sweets, indomie noodles and others.”
He called on JAP members to assist in sensitizing, especially policymakers, community and opinion leaders to ensure immunization of all eligible children.
Mrs. Halimatu Olatito, state Coordinator of Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said that the December round was very crucial “because Nigeria is in the twilight of eradicating polio and getting out of the list of countries that are harbouring the Wild Polio virus (WPV).”
She noted that another issue that needed enlightenment by JAP members in the state, is low coverage of routine immunization. “The caregivers should be sensitized to access free antigens to protect their children from polio and other child-killer diseases.”
While the State Field Coordinator of Rotary International, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed pledged his organization’s commitment to the success of polio eradication efforts, JAP State Coordinator, Abdallah El-Kurebe pledged members’ commitment to ensure the eradication of polio and other child-killer diseases from Sokoto state.
