Yobe state ministry of health in collaborations with United Nations Children International Emergency Fund(UNICEF),World Health Organization (WHO) among other developmental partners in the state have on Tuesday commomerated 2024 African Vaccination week.
Speaking at the occasion, the state Commissioner of health, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said in Nigeria African vaccination week (AVW) is celebrated with the aimed to accelerate action to increase awareness and demand for immunization by individuals and communities in order to improve vaccination and health service delivery.
Represented by the Executive Secretary Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Babagana Kundi Machina, the commissioner stated that Nigerian government has increased the number of vaccines given to children from 15 to 20 different vaccines and this requires public awareness especially parents and caregivers on the importance of immunization to their children.
He revealed that the recent introduction of Human Papilloma Virus vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancers to girl’s child 9-14 years last year and planned for this year in some states like Yobe requires continuous and robust social mobilization awareness to parents and caregivers.
The health Commissioner further said,”Vaccination remains the most effective way to ensuring disease prevention and eradication in any given society and a parents, caregivers it is mandatory for us to ensure that our family especially children and all eligible persons are protected from the vaccine.
“Preventable diseases such as; tuberculosis, polio disease, whooping cough,diphtheria, tetanus,measles,hepatitis, pneumonia,Rota Virus,Yellow fever, meningitis and HPV among other diseases.
“Yobe State under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni has made a giant stride in ensuring that immunization services have been given a high priority.This can be attested by the sustaining the RI and integrated PHC MoU between the Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundation basket fund and UNICEF,” he said.
In his remarks, the state coordinator, WHO Dr Alhassan Hamisu Dama said, Immunisation prevents serious diseases that are life threatening, saves life, reduces transmission of diseases, protects vulnerable population, eliminates diseases (small pox and polio), reduces health care costs,protects the future generation,and boosts economic growth.
“Let us all embrace and promote immunization as it is a safe and effective way to protect individuals and communities from infectious diseases and an essential component of public health globally.
“WHO is committed to continue to support the Yobe State Government in all immunization and other public health programs in its effort to ensure universal health coverage of its citizens,” he said.
