In a concerted effort to combat the outbreak of mpox in Cross River State, particularly among frontline healthcare workers, the state, in collaboration with the Federal Government and various development partners, is set to commence a 10-day vaccination campaign starting on Monday, August 11, 2024.
The vaccination will be offered to frontline healthcare providers and individuals in contact with infected persons across seven local government areas: Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Akamkpa, Ikom, Etung, and Boki, where mpox cases have been reported.
Speaking while declaring a one-day orientation town hall meeting on mpox sensitization with stakeholders in Calabar over the weekend, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in healthcare delivery.
She urged participants to prioritize aggressive awareness campaigns targeting at-risk populations to eliminate the disease from the State.
Dr. Otu highlighted that Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu has directed the allocation of necessary human and capital resources to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of their location and encouraged stakeholders to act as ambassadors for healthcare in the state.
In her discussion on the anticipated outcomes of the vaccination campaign, Mrs. Nsa Ekpenyong, the State Social Mobilization Officer, noted the State's recent achievement of 100 percent coverage during the just-concluded second round of National Immunization Plus Day was made possible by the stakeholders who worked tirelessly to sensitize the citizenry and reiterated the commitment of stakeholders to ensure that Cross River State becomes completely free of the mpox virus.
Mrs Ekpenyong posited that, "for this exercise, Healthcare workers will be deployed to vaccinate the eligible population aged 18 years and above.
"Stakeholders were present to familiarize themselves with the signs, symptoms, and preventive measures related to mpox, as well as be equipped with the information to the public about vaccination locations for accessibility to keep Cross River safe.
"Let me also inform Cross Riverians that Mpox is real. We urge anyone who has been diagnosed with mpox or has come into contact with an infected person to take advantage of this opportunity, as prevention is better than cure. The vaccine is free, safe, and effective."
On her part, Dr. Anesthesia Isika, the State Technical Assistant for the Measles Novella campaign, reaffirmed the importance of aggressive sensitization and awareness to treat those currently affected and to vaccinate their relatives to prevent further spread.
She announced that Measles Novella vaccines will be rolled out in the State in February 2026 and emphasized the need for continued collaboration with stakeholders to initiate sensitization campaigns promptly.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus. It can be contracted through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. The outbreak has been recorded in six local government areas of Cross River State, where the vaccine will be administered from Monday, August 12, to Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
Mpox Outbreak: C'River, Partners Roll Out Vaccine Starting Monday, August 11, 2025
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