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Immunization

Routine Immunisation Crucial for Children's Health: Experts Warn

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Routine immunisation is essential for children's health as it helps prevent diseases and protects them from vaccine-preventable illnesses. According to Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, every child requires routine immunisation to stay healthy. Despite the importance of immunisation, there is a high rate of vaccine hesitancy, which can lead to a failure of the collective system. Experts are urging intensified media collaboration to debunk myths, dispel fears, and change perception and behaviors.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasised the importance of routine immunisation, stating that it is essential for every child to stay healthy.
  • Dr Ani-Osheku lamented the rate of vaccine hesitancy, calling for intensified media collaboration to debunk myths, dispel fears, and change perception and behaviors.
  • The United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) and the National Orientation Agency are organising the 2024 Integrated Measles Campaign in several states, including Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, and Kogi, to improve vaccine uptake.
  • Dr Ndubuisi Ebitea, WHO State Technical Officer, assured that the life-saving vaccines are safe, potent, and effective, with a vaccine potency temperature range of between +2°C and +8°C.
  • Dr Hilary Ozoh, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF, urged state health educators to provide information, data, and engage the media to ensure consistent reportage of the measles campaign.
  • Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, Health Educator at the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that the state has concluded plans to commence the integrated measles vaccination campaign in 2024.

Statistics:

  • Number of states participating in the 2024 Integrated Measles Campaign: 5 (Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Cross River, and Kogi)
  • Vaccine potency temperature range: +2°C and +8°C
  • Number of states with existing plans to commence the integrated measles vaccination campaign: 1 (Anambra)

Sources:

  • Voice of Nigeria, 04 Oct 2024
  • UNICEF and National Orientation Agency

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