Measles Immunisation: Akwa Ibom Targets 800,000 Children

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By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
No fewer than 800,000 children between the ages of 9 to 59 months are to be immunized in Akwa Ibom State against measles, identified as one of the dreaded childhood diseases.
Health commissioner in the state, Dr. Dominic Ukpong who stated this during the 2018 measles vaccine campaign in Uyo, the state capital said the number represents about 15 per cent of children’s population in the state.
He said in 2017, a total of 750,000 children were immunized while 195 confirmed cases of attack in the state were reported in the health facilities within the year.
The commissioner who was represented by the state immunization officer, Dr. Ime Udoh said the state government has mapped out strategies, including training of health personnel to ensure effective coverage of the targeted children and arrest the spread of the disease.
He also stated that the conduct of the exercise in the state would be carried in two phases in order to cover the 31 local government areas of the state.
The first phase which will be implements from 1st to 6th March 2018 will cover Essien Udim, Etinan, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Oruk Anam, Uyo, Ibeno, Ika, Itu, Onna, Etim Ekpo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Udung Uko, Uruan, Abak and Eket local government areas.
Under the 2nd phase to be implemented from 08 to 13th March 2018
are Mbo, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Ukanafun, Eastern Obolo, Ikono, Ini, Mkpat Enin, Obot Akara, Oron, Nsit Atai, Esit Eket, Urue Offong/Oruko and Okobo local government areas.
Accordingly, the temporary fixed post will be located in Schools, Churches, Mosques, Traditional Leaders houses, Motor parks, hard to reach areas.
Immunization will be provided at these sites for either the duration of the campaign or partially (for few days or few hours in a day) depending on the target population density, Dr Ukpong added.
According to him, the highly effective, safe and Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) protects individuals from the infection, and their widespread use can completely stop the spread of the viruses in populations that achieve and maintain high levels of vaccination coverage
The follow-up campaigns are periodic mass immunization campaigns conducted every 2-4 years following catch-up campaigns, whose purpose is to reduce any build-up of susceptible born since the previous measles immunization campaign.
The timing of measles follow-up campaign depends on the rate of accumulation of susceptible, which is determined by the routine immunization coverage and the coverage during the previous catch up and follow up campaigns,” he added.

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