Kwara begins polio immunization – Realnews Magazine

Health

KWARA State Government on Saturday launched a new round of polio immunization for children under the age of five.

Dr. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), said the exercise is the second in series and is expected to cover every nook and cranny of the state.

Elelu, who said the immunization would take place from April 20 to 23, urged parents, religious houses and schools to get the targeted children vaccinated within the stipulated time.

She explained that “the vaccine is safe. I direct parents, guardians, religious houses, schools and Quranic institutions to make eligible children available for vaccination as the teams move from house to house, markets, religious houses and schools.

“Children aged zero to five years are expected to be vaccinated regardless of their previous vaccination status. The vaccine is safe and there is no overdose.”

She said poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children under the age of five, adding that “the virus can be transmitted by the fecal-oral route or, less commonly, through contaminated water or food.

“The virus multiplies in the intestines, from where it can enter the nervous system and cause irreversible paralysis.”

The Executive Secretary said while Nigeria has been declared polio-free, there is need to continue this achievement by strengthening the immunity of eligible children through supplementary and routine immunization.

She explained that the Kwara State Government had continued to collaborate with development partners such as WHO, UNICEF and the NPHCDA to maintain the immune systems of citizens.

According to her, at least 2,034 vaccination teams will go from house to house to carry out the exercise.

She said the agency recorded great success during the last polio campaign, which affected at least 1.5 million children of the age group in different communities, and the achievement was due to the support of the state government.

She commended the efforts of development partners and health workers who participated in the first round of the campaign, as they look for greater commitment in the current event. (NAN)

FA

April 21, 2024

Keywords: immunization