by By Simon Ushie – Calabar
The Cross River State Government has urged women especially nursing mothers to keep to the 6 routine immunization appointments for their wards to avoid deaths of infants in the state as a result of vaccine preventable diseases.
The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong made the call while addressing the public on the importance of strict adherence to immunization exercise and the resultant effects when missed.
Dr Ekpenyong held that globally one of the highest causes of infants mortality are illnesses which can be vaccinated against while also emphasizing that vaccines are the sourest antidotes for childhood killer diseases.
The DG admonished parents and care givers to make their wards available for vaccination especially as the state is set to kick start its routine measles and immunization exercise across the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
Her words “We all know that there are other diseases that are killing our people especially children aside Covid19, and so as a state we have chosen to start an integrated campaign against all childhood killer diseases and for a start, the measles campaign. It is worrisome to note that many women are depriving their kids from this privilege and as a state, we can’t afford to manage another pandemic after Covid19.
“I want to debunk every rumor out there that there are poisonous vaccines being imported and circulated across the country. Emphatically I must say that our vaccines in Cross River State are safe and they are potent in line with the World Health Organization’s standard and best practices. Our central cold store is working, and in our various facilities, we have solar panel refrigerators to store these vaccines.
“I want to encourage all our mothers and care givers to as a matter of concern to take their children and wards to the nearest Primary Health care Facility around them and get them immunized.
“Immunization is free and if taken accurately will ensure the development of antibodies of their children”.
Also speaking, the State Immunization Officer, Mrs Joy Chabo, charged pregnant women to ensure maximum utilization of health facilities around them in order to receive vaccines which will protect them and their unborn children.
On her part, the state Mobilization officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong noted that the agency have engaged the services of town criers in the rural areas, reached out to traditional, religious and group leaders to permit health workers to access their communities and facilities to administer vaccines to their kids as well as pregnant women.
The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has commenced state wide campaign to mobilize women for routine immunization.
Some of the diseases to be immunized include; Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria,Pneumonia, Measles,Yellow fever, Diarrhea among others.
