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Olabode Adaramola
No fewer than about 1,146.572 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years have been targeted for measles vaccination this year in Niger state.
Social and Behavior Change , UNICEF Measles Consultant, Hassan Musa Abari disclosed this during a Stakeholders in Education and Media Roles in the Campaign Against Measles organized by the Niger State Healthcare Development Agency in partnership with the UNICEF held on Monday in Minna, the state capital.
Abari further explained that the campaign program has become necessary sequel to the fact that measles is no longer seasonal as it used to be hence the engagement of the 275, wards of the state in two phases to ensure total coverage.
He noted that schools, designated health facilities and palaces are the major targets for the vaccination where a good number of children can be vaccinated within a short period that would be integrated, however appealed to parents to make their wards available for a successful programme.
The Consultant, however lamented that in Bida local government area and with record in Federal Medical Centre( FMC) Bida alone, that 1,347 cases were recorded with 18 deaths within 8 months this year which called for concern.
He stressed that the first phase will be from 31st October to 7th November 2022, while the second phase is from 8th to 18th November, 2022 with Agwara, Borgu, Edati, Magama, Kontagora, Mariga, Mashegu, Rafi, Mokwa, Rijau and Wushishi clocal governmet ouncils as first Phase .
According to him, the second phase local governments include: Chanchaga, Bosso, Paiko, Lapai, Gurara, Suleja, Lavun, Munya, Shiroro, Tafa, Katcha, Bida, Agaie and Gbako respectively.
