Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, says children need routine immunisation to fight diseases and stay healthy when maternal immunity wears off.
Ani-Osheku made the assertion at
a Zonal Meeting ahead of the 2024 Integrated Measles Campaign organised by the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and National Orientation Agency, on Thursday in Enugu.
She said: “Maternal immunity is transferred during pregnancy through the placenta and, in the first weeks of life of the newborn, it represents a powerful tool for protection.
“After a few months, the maternal immunity starts to wear off which is where immunisation uptake comes in to boost the immunity of the child against measles, polio and other childhood diseases.
“So, immunisation is very important for every child. Whenever a child dies due to a vaccine-preventable disease, it is not just a tragedy for one family, it is a failure of our collective system because health is everybody’s responsibility.”
She lamented the rate of vaccine hesitancy and called for intensified media collaboration to debunk myths, dispel fears and rumours as well as change perception and behaviours.
According to her, the media is not merely a conveyor of news, it is a lifeline for millions of families seeking information, guidance and assurance about their health.
“Vaccination is not a decoy to depopulate or sterilise people but to save. Therefore, In the fight against preventable diseases, especially through immunisation, media is our most potent tool, “she added.
Also speaking, Dr Ndubuisi Ebitea, WHO State Technical Officer/ Measles, Yellow Fever, Meningitis campaign in Enugu, said the life-saving vaccines were safe, potents and effective.
“We have trained the vaccination team to ensure proper handling of the vaccines to maintain the vaccine potency which is usually between +2°C and +8°C.
Dr Hilary Ozoh, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF, said the 2024 Integrated Measles Campaign would be implemented in Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Cross River and Kogi states.
He urged the state health educators to provide information, data and engage the media to ensure consistent reportage of the measles campaign, create awareness and encourage vaccine uptake.
In her remarks, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, Health Educator, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the state had concluded plans to commence the integrated measles vaccination campaign in the state.
