The Cross River government on Thursday launched the 2022 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign in Calabar.
The campaign, which would run from November 3 to 10, would feature the introduction of Rotavirus and COVID-19 vaccination.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrheal disease among infants and young children. Nearly every child in the world is infected with a rotavirus at least once by the age of five.
The Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, said at the launch of the campaign that measles is a dangerous disease for children and must be checked.
He added that “today, people are no longer worried about COVID-19, so, they no longer wear face mask or observe social distancing; this is contributing to the spread of preventable diseases that would have easily been prevented.
“We urge parents with children of between zero to five years of age who missed this vaccine to come forward and ensure that their wards are vaccinated against measles and diarrhea, while adults avail themselves of COVID-19 vaccination.
“This administration attaches 100 per cent attention to the issue of vaccination and hopes that residents would do same.”
Dr Janet Ekpenyong, the Director-General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), said measles is one of the major causes of infant and child mortality.
She commended the federal and state governments for introducing the rotavirus vaccine, saying that “before now, the rotavirus vaccine was a scarce commodity, the only place you could get it was in private health facilities and you have to pay as much as N12,000.
“So, we are excited that the Federal Government has made it possible that every child within ages of 0 to five years is vaccinated not just against measles but against rotavirus free of charge.
“For Cross River, we are targeting 700,000 children, we want to achieve 100 per cent coverage, so we have decentralised the process and it be taking place in markets, worship centres and schools to make sure no child is left behind.”
On his part, Dr Salisu Ibrahim, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said Cross River Government was providing good leadership in the health sector but could do more with more support.
Ibrahim said while WHO is supporting the state in training healthcare workers and vaccine logistics, other stakeholders would assist with the vaccination process.
