By Asmau Ahmad
The Kwara State Government has disclosed that about 1.3 million children were immunized during the July 2022 round of Outbreak Response vaccinations across the 16 local government areas of the state.
Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu stated this on Friday, during the State’s Task Force on Immunization Stakeholders Meeting in Ilorin.
She also disclosed that the Agency will commence administration of the the third set of polio vaccination in November.
Elelu explained that the state had two outbreak responses earlier in 2022 due to re-emergence of the disease, which was attributed to movement of nomads into the area.
According to her, there will be the third immunization response to ensure that children are effectively protected from the disease.
Elelu stated the agency is still striving to ensure that no child is left behind but effectively captured in the vaccination campaign.
She, however, observed that two local government areas have failed to achieve maximum coverage – Patigi with 42, and Asa with 36 unvaccinated children.
The Executive Secretary lamented that children that are not vaccinated remain vulnerable to the disease and can infect many more.
She added that the state government is up to the task and will continue training and retraining healthcare workers, especially midwives, as the agency’s expectation is to bring all mothers and babies to healthcare services.
She pointed out the need for constant forum with different stakeholders on accountability and to enhance best practices.
Elelu commended the various partner agencies, adding that the state is benefiting from the synergy on various health intervention which is translating to the health of the populace.
She lamented the uncooperative attitude of some LGAs, which are exhibiting the lack of ownership to some of the intervention in their domains.
Also speaking, Dr Raji Razaq, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, represented by Dr Abubakar Ayinla, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, stressed the need for support for all activities of the agency.
Mrs Atinuke Ahmed, the State Coordinator for African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), commended the state government for its immunization commitment on COVID-19, adding that the state has surpassed the 70 percent target, with 82.2 percent.
In his reaction, Mr Kayode Alabi, the Kwara Deputy Governor, commended the agency for its efforts, adding that it is crucial that all the 16 local governments key into the activities of the agency.
