Bukola Afeni
The Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Chisom Uchem, has announced that the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination exercise would run from February 5 to 15.
She added that the vaccination is targeting children aged nine months to 14 years.
The announcement was made at a media engagement on Friday, organised by the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with ASPHCDA and partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The stakeholders assured parents and caregivers of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
She noted that the vaccines is 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.”.
She added that the health agency is working in partnership with community leaders , religious leaders and the media to disseminate information to parent and guardian.
” The exercise would be carried out strictly by trained and licensed health practitioners”, she said.
UNICEF social and behaviour change consultant, Victor James also called on all stakeholders to ensure that no child is missed during the exercise.
” 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.”
In the same vein he urged media practitioners to also promote the demand for the vaccine in Anambra.
