Cross River State has received immunization vaccines after four months of delay and says it is free of charge, enjoining mothers to get their children vaccinated.
The four vaccines and number received is the Rota virus vaccine (Rota) vaccinated against RotaVirus disease – 43,200 received, Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) vaccinated against Poliomyelitis disease – 105,760, the Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) to be vaccinated against Tuberculosis – 146,240, and Diphtheria toxoid, Pertussis, Tetanus Toxoid, Hepatitis B v, and Haemophilus Influenza type B conjugate vaccine (Penta) to be vaccinated against Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus, Hepatitis B disease among others – 168,960 received.
Receiving the vaccines, the Director-General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Deaconess Abasioffiong Offiong said the State has not had vaccines for over four months due to some hitches.
While lauding Governor Ben Ayade and his wife, the World Health Organization, the Commissioner for Health Dr. Janet Ekpenyong among others who made it possible, Mrs. Offiiong called on local government Cool Chain Officers (CCOs) to immediately pick up the vaccines as all vaccines are intact and in large quantity to serve the people.
The DG said mothers should be rest assured that the life of their children are in safe hands and the fight towards strengthening the health sector will never cease. She echoed that “vaccines are free of charge. Do not pay a dime for any vaccine as the government has sorted out all financial challenges involved.”
“With this, our children are now safe even though every child is born with naturally-acquired immunity to fight against diseases. Unlike adults, the immune systems of children are immature and not strong enough to eliminate many of the germs they may be exposed to. Therefore, immunization provides protections to help children fight diseases in their early life, thereby helping to save millions of children around the world from untimely death.
“Local government Cool Chain Officers (CCOs) are to come to pick up vaccines immediately. UNICEF helped us get connected to the national grid with a 24-hour light now. The World Health Organization (WHO) played a huge role in this achievement and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) worked this out within hours. Thank you to Dr. Linda Ayade and the health commissioner.”
