Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board in collaboration with Development Partners in the health sector has introduced Inactivated Polio Vaccine, IPV2, as additional vaccination in the Routine Immunisation, RI, schedule, to be received by children at 14 weeks.
Speaking at the flag-off at Iberekodo Primary Healthcare Centre in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker said that the vaccine would protect children against polio virus and further boost their immunity.
Dr. Coker explained that the introduction of the vaccine into the RI schedule was in fulfilment of the four major objectives of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which mandated all countries that were using Oral Polio Vaccine to add at least one more dose of IPV into their schedules by the end of 2015.
She noted that the efforts was aimed at maintaining the polio free status that Nigeria and Ogun State achieved on August 25, 2020.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola who explained that Inactivated Polio Vaccine including IPV2 would be administered to children as their first and second dose at 6weeks and 14weeks respectively, described the the vaccine as safe and effective.
In their separate remarks, the State Coordinator, World Health Organisation, WHO, Dr. Sunday Abidoye, his counterpart from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Victoria Adebiyi as well as representatives of United Nations Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF, Mrs Florence Molokwu, said the introduction of the vaccine was another giant stride at improving the health and wellbeing of children in the State, promising the continued technical support of their various organisations.
Speaking on behalf of mothers and caregivers, Mrs. Abiodun Adenuga and Mrs Aderonke Ogunba appreciated the State government for the initiative.
Segun Folarin
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