Rivers Flags Off Measles Campaign, ’Morrow …Dispels Fears For Vaccination

Ahead the flag off of the Measles Campaign tomorrow, the Rivers State Government has dispelled fears among parents in presenting their children for vaccination following the scar created by the monkey pox vaccine in Rivers State, recently.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr (Mrs) Agbiriye Harry stated this at a one- day 2018 media orientation meeting with the state team and partners at East lake Hotel, Port Harcourt, Monday.
Harry noted that many mothers in the state are still refusing to present their babies for vaccination over the rumour created then, adding that it has made the activities of vaccination difficult in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director, Community Health Services, Dr Isaac Opurum advised parents and guardians to bring their children forward for this year’s measles vaccination.
“Here in the State, we are starting our own and we are making sure that every stakeholder is carried along, every child should be immunized because Measles is a contagious disease.
“If a child is not immunized and that child has Measles and goes to school with it, other children not immunized are vulnerable, so every mother and father should ensure that his or her child is immunized”, so we need to forget about the monkey pox saga ”, he said.
Meanwhaile, the Rivers State, Immunization Officer, Dr Rita Wilson said there are no new cases of Measles in Rivers State.
“Some women will not get their children vaccinated, but these children become vulnerable to diseases such as blindness, deafness. It also can cause inflammation of the brain and diahorrea which can also lead to death as the child collapses due to the passing away from the body so much liquid, and we don’t want our children to be left out.

Lady Godsknows Ogbulu & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana