2nd Round Local Immunization Days Begin, Today

The Second Round of the Local immunization Days (LIDs) in Rivers State is billed to commence today across the state.
A statement by the Health Educator/Co-ordinator, Social Mobilization Committee, Rivers State Ministry of health, Dr. Doris Nria, stated that the exercise will hold in all the Primary health Centres and designated temporary fixed posts in all the 23 local Government Areas and Wards from today to Friday.
According to Nria, “during the exercise, children below one year of age will be vaccinated with Bacillus Calmette – Guerin (BCG) against Tuberculosis, oral polio and Inactivated Polio Vaccines (IPV) against poliomyelitis”.
Penta against Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, HIP. type B, measles, tetanus tocides, yellow fever and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines will also be administered on children, “ever if they have been vaccinated several times before”, she said.
While emphasizing the importance of the exercise, Nria urged both parents and caregivers to avail themselves of the opportunity.
“As a matter of necessity to ensure that no child is missed during the exercise, parents and caregivers should take their children/Wards below one year of age to health centres and temporary fixed posts nearest to them to be vaccinated by Health Care Providers”, she urged.
The Health educator also emphasised that “immunization is free, potent, safe and effective”.
It would be recalled that the first round of the exercise took place last month.
The exercise is at the behest of the Rivers State primary healthcare Management Board in collaboration with partner agencies: World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and National Primary health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).