An appeal has gone to parents and caregivers to present their eligible children for inactivated polio vaccine.
The traditional ruler of Ukwalla, Igwe Joseph Ajodo, made the appeal during a physical meeting of the National Immunization Officials and Executives of Anambra State Primary Healthcare Agency in Awka.
Igwe Ajodo explained that the second inactivated polio vaccine second dose is free, safe and effective, hence, the need for the citizenry to give their children opportunity for protection.
He seized the opportunity to appeal to other traditional rulers in the state to help educate parents, caregivers and community members on the need for them to present their eligible children for the polio vaccine.
In her lecture, the State Health Educator, Mrs uju Onwuegbusi, hinted that without the vaccine, a child is at risk of contracting polio as according to her, polio spreads very easily and when infection occurs, it can lead to paralysis and even death.
One of the participants, Mrs Grace Ginikanwa, who is also HOD, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Anambra State, reminded parents to ensure their children complete their immunization schedule as well as observe good personal and Environmental hygiene.
She further advised on the need for good nutrition for children, including exclusive breast feeding in the first six months of life.
Mrs Chineze George ileka harped on the need for the state immunization officers to send information to nurses to make good use of UNICEF volunteers in all the local government Areas in the state to reach out to parents of eligible children.
The meeting attracted national immunization officials including Mrs. Grace Sampson, who also educated participants on how to spread the messages to all the communities in the state to put a stop to polio which she described as contagious.
She informed that polio virus lives in an infected person’s throat and intestines.
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