.Lifts ban on immunisation
Bayelsa State government will soon embark on measles vaccination campaign.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof Ebitimitula Etebu, in the company of his Education and information counterparts disclosed this in Yenagoa.
They also announced the lifting of the ban on immunization and urged stakeholders especially schools, the churches and mosques to spread the information.
The exercise, the commissioner said, would be in two phases staring from March 1 to 6, 2018, with Yenagoa, Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Nembe local government areas, while the second phase will be from March 8 to 13, with Kolokuma, Opokuma, Ogbia, Brass and Sagbama local government areas.
The commissioner said, “I wish to emphasize that the Federal Government has made budgetary allocation and release for the provision of safe and potent vaccine as a sign of commitment for the safety and survival of Nigerian child”.
He thanked the executive governor of the state, Henry Seriake Dickson, whom he said had exemplified huge political commitment to ensure the success of 2018 Measles Vaccinations Campaign in the state.
“It is important to reiterte that measles vaccination campaign is meant to enhance community protection against measles diseases,” the commissioner said.
Disclosing that there was no harmful vaccination, and that Bayelsa was monkey pox-free, Etebu maintained that during the exercise, vaccinators would be stationed at all government health facilities, schools, housing estates, markets and churches to immunize children from nine months to five years.
“I urge parents to support government’s programme by availing their children of the opportunity to be immunized. All mothers should ensure they keep the vaccination cards safe,” Etebu said.
Also, the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite, urged parents and teachers to release their wards to be immunized.