Following a confirmed case of circulating Variant Polio Virus type 2 (cVPV2) in neighbouring Enugu State, Anambra State Government over the weekend commenced an Out Break response, OBR against polio in the state.
Last month, the cVPV2 case was confirmed in Nkanu West, Enugu state, which shares boundary with Anambra.
cVPV2 are rare strains of poliovirus that have genetically mutated from the strain contained in the oral polio vaccine. Under certain circumstances, OPV viruses regain both neuro- virulence and the capacity to circulate and cause outbreaks and therefore are of concern to the PEI.
The occurrence of cVDPV outbreaks is of great programmatic significance, as they are analogous to wild polio virus outbreaks and should prompt the same response.
As a proactive step to prevent extension to the state, the Anambra State Government has scheduled the OBR exercise for 16th to 19th September in the 21 Council Areas of the state.
Inaugurating the exercise at Umunnachi Health Centre in Dunukofia Council Area, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said the OBR targets children of 0-59months, who will be given 2 drops of novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) with a gap of one or two days from the administration of the routine bOPV.
While noting that polio vaccination has been ongoing in the primary health centres, Dr Obidike revealed that the OBR exercise is to scale the operation to make sure that no loopholes are created for polio to enter the state.
According to him, the vaccines to be used are safe and free of charge.
“When you don’t have a certain percentage of coverage, people are at risk. So, in partnership with the WHO, we have mobilized at 660 fixed posts across the state, in addition to the 330 health centres where these vaccines have been happening.
“The strategies for the campaign are fixed post strategy (use of Health facilities and other outreach sites with a trained Health worker as a vaccinator, who can give nOPV2 and other RI antigens, according to schedule and a recorder), House to House strategy with three persons (Vaccinator, Recorder that doubles as supervisor and a town announcer who must residing in the community) and Special team strategy ( vaccinator recorder and town announcer).
“These fixed posts people will go to the churches, the markets, the schools and other places to ensure that we have intensified vaccination activities, to keep the state safe,” he said.
The Health Commissioner said the target for the exercise is 2.6 million children, within the stipulated age bracket.
According to him, the campaign will be monitored by enhanced independent monitors and LGAs surveyors to ensure quality and coverage.
In a goodwill message, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization, Anambra Field Office, Adamu Abdul Nasri congratulated the state for successfully flagging off the campaign to prevent the spread of the virus, saying it shows the proactiveness and political will of the state governor in addressing health challenges in the state.
On her part, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem said they are partnering the supervisory body for nursery and primary schools in the state as well as religious organizations, to ensure that children are made available to benefit from the vaccine.
According to her, the government does not want to take any chances and that’s why the OBR has become very important.
She harped on the need for parents to avail their children the opportunity to get vaccinated, warning that once any child is affected in the state, every other child is at risk.
