The Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has assured parents and caregivers of the safety and effectiveness of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination scheduled to commence on Feb. 5 in the state.
The assurance was given by the Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Mrs Chisom Uchem, at a media engagement organised by the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with ASPHCDA and partners, ahead of the introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine.
The vaccination exercise would run from Feb. 5 to Feb. 15, targeting children between the ages of nine months to 14 years.
The vaccines will be administered in all the health facilities across the 330 health wards in the state, as well as at temporary fixed posts such as churches, schools, markets
Uchem said the engagement with the media, religious and community leaders as well as civil society organisations was to ensure accurate information about the vaccination reached all parts of the state.
According to her, the exercise would be carried out strictly by trained and licensed health practitioners.
She allayed fears surrounding the vaccination, stressing that the vaccines were free, safe and effective.
“We were all vaccinated as children and we are alive today. We cannot give our children what is harmful to them because their health is our priority,” Uchem said.
Also speaking, Mr Victor Jame, UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change Consultant, said the health and well-being of children remained a top priority for the agency, describing them as the future of the state.
James said: “It should not be heard that any child is affected by Measles or Rubella when we have the knowledge and means to prevent such diseases.
“The vaccine is safe for our children with no adverse effects. We urge stakeholders to ensure that no child was missed during the exercise.
“The Media should also promote the demand for the vaccine in Anambra through their reports.”
Dr Uju Chinenye, a Paediatrician at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, said non-immunisation could lead to increased disease outbreaks and higher mortality rates.
She added that other consequences include long-term disabilities, economic losses and serious threats to herd immunity.
“Therefore, sustained vaccination of eligible children, alongside strong community and government commitment, remained the way forward,” she said.
The State Health Educator, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, assured that health teams would visit healthcare facilities, churches, schools and mosques to ensure comprehensive and coordinated coverage.
“We will not wait for mothers to bring their children to primary healthcare centres. Our teams will go to markets, motor parks, churches, schools and other places where children gather.
“We have also made arrangements, including hiring boats, to reach riverine and hard-to-reach communities,” she said.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Ukwalla kingdom, Igwe Joseph Ajodo assured that with the traditional rulers as the closest government to the grassroots, the message will get down to the grassroots ahead of the implementation so as to achieve maximum result.
Also speaking, Hajiya Kadijat Olahan, a representative of the Muslim Community in the state, noted that the planning process had witnessed a lot of advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders, and the outcome has been quite reassuring that the exercise will witness improved participation.
She expressed the hope that the media engagement will help address the challenge of misinformation and disinformation driving vaccine hesitancy among residents of the state.
