The Integrated Vaccination campaign for measles and Polio in Bauchi Local Government Area(LGA) is witnessing a huge turnout in the area as caregivers are bringing the eligible children U-5 out for the vaccination.
Our Correspondent reports that UNICEF and other implementing partners are supporting the state government in the conduct of the integrated Immunization exercise against measles and Polio for U-5 children
Assessment visits to some of the facilities with the LGA by a team of Health Reporters on Tuesday indicated that the exercise was well accepted by the people of the area.
At the Miri Ward of the LGA, it was observed that children were brought out to be immunized for measles and Polio as part of the routine immunization in the facility.
Giving an update of the exercise in the Ward, the Immunization Focal Person, Umar Abdullahi Ningi disclosed for the measles vaccination, the target is 7100 while there is no figure for Polio OVR but taking place in Ninety-Seven communities.
According to him, so far, 2,701 children have been immunized for measles while 11,606 children have been administered with the OVR to prevent them from Polio variants in the area.
He also disclosed that a total of 2,950 doses of vaccines have been used for measles immunization while for the OVR, a total of 12,300 doses have been used.
Abdullahi Ningi said that the total is for the entire Miri Ward at the Health facilities that are cited at the various communities including the mobile and fixed posts.
In Dan Amar 1 Ward, the Immunization Focal Person disclosed that the target for measles in the area is 5006 U-5 children while the target for OVR is 9,529.
He however explained that for the first Three days of the campaign (Saturday to Monday) a total of 1,135 eligible children have been immunization for measles while 7,555 have been reached for OVR.
According to him, for the Three days, 8000 doses of OVR have been used while for measles, 1,470 doses have been used.
Also speaking, the Routine Immunization Officer of Bayan Fada PHCC, Halima Adamu expressed satisfaction with the turnout of caregivers for the exercise saying that it has been very encouraging compared with past exercises.
She added that so far in the Three days of the exercise, no serious challenge has been recorded to have hampered the smooth operation of the exercise.
The RI Officer expressed optimism that for the Ward and Facility, the target will be met as adequate Mobilization has been made while the investment of the traditional rulers and community/religious leaders has complemented in encouraging the parents to take the children to the facilities for immunization.
One of the caregivers who brought her 3 years old girl for immunization expressed happiness that the exercise was conducted saying that it will enhance the well-being of the children and protect them against the child killer diseases.
She said that her child has received the complete doses of the required vaccinations stressing that, “As you can see, my daughter is looking healthy and beautiful. I call on all mothers to allow their children U-5 years to be immunized in order to stay healthy.”
One challenge observed is that of mobility which the adhoc personnel complained about pointing out that with the current hike in transport fare necessitated by the high cost of petrol.
Some of the personnel appeal for adjustment in the allowances to enable them break even with the cost of transportation to the points of the exercise. END
