The Delta State Government is taking proactive steps to protect the younger generation, particularly children between nine months and 15 years, against deadly diseases such as measles and rubella.
To this end, the state government, in partnership with the ‘You Matter Charity Foundation’, the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other donor agencies, flagged off the measles-rubella vaccine advocacy rollout in the state.
The event which was flagged off by the wife of the state Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, was held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Flagging off the advocacy campaign in Asaba, Deaconess Oborevwori said the importance of the advocacy is to increase vaccine access and acceptability, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates, and ensure a reduction in children suffering from measles, rubella and related complications.
‘’The MORE Agenda, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, is committed to the well-being of all Deltans, ensuring that childhood diseases and child mortality are reduced to the barest minimum through effective immunisation.
”Every parent and caregiver must take advantage of these vaccination services provided. It is the right of every child to be vaccinated and safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“The vaccines are safe and effective, save lives and are administered free-of-charge,’’ she said.
The state’s first lady called on stakeholders to champion the immunisation project in their local government areas, provide the needed logistics and support for the exercise.
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She appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders and other opinion leaders to be at the forefront of the campaign to make the exercise a success.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, noted that measles and rubella are highly infectious, viral diseases transmitted through respiratory droplets, stressing that measles can result in serious complications such as pneumonia and even death.
The health commissioner said the vaccine would curb the morbidity and mortality related to measles and rubella diseases, even as he thanked the state and federal governments for ensuring the health security of Deltans.
He said officials of the state and federal governments would be doing the immunisation across the 441 health centres in the state, just as he dismissed all myths related to vaccine acceptance.
The ceremony which featured goodwill messages from representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and other partners was attended by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Ezinne Catherine Onyeme; members of the state House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; and heads of extra-ministerial departments.
Other dignitaries present include the Delta State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), vice chairmen of local government councils, wives of local government chairmen, political appointees and other top government functionaries.
