By Asmau Ahmad
The Taraba Commissioner for Health, Dr. Innocent Vakkai, has warned communities in the state against rejecting poliomyelitis vaccines.
The commissioner gave the warning in Jalingo in an interview with newsmen.
According to him, there are reported cases of rejection of vaccines by some people in Sintali, Kona, Ambaliya and Turaki areas of the state.
Dr. Vakkai said he wondered why people would still reject vaccines, in spite of two weeks of sensitization, organised to enlighten people on the importance of polio vaccination’.
He said that government was exploring ways of convincing people to accept the vaccines, stressing that non-compliance would attract sanctions.
“Before the flag-off of this year’s polio vaccination campaign on Sept. 26, we had sensitised various stakeholders on the need for total compliance. We will continue to liaise with stakeholders in these communities to ensure that every child, from five years and below is vaccinated against polio.
“However, if this and other efforts fail, any parent that refuses to present his child for vaccination will be asked to leave the community he resides in,” the commissioner said.
He said that scientific evidence had proved the efficacy of polio vaccines and added that no case of Lassa fever disease had been reported in the state since January.
