South East’s 742 Rubella Record Calls For Action

Participants in a media forum ahead of the forthcoming national immunisation campaign against Rubella have opined that South East’s record of 742 with Abia State having 152 calls for action.

The forum was held in Umuahia, the state capital to brief journalists on the level of preparations for the campaign against the disease for children between nine months and 14 years.

The campaign is slated for February 4 to 14 including two days mop up exercise to ensure total coverage, according to the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA).

Contributing, the UNICEF representative, Hyacinth Egbuna, and affiliate Measles consultant, Adaora Eneje, stressed support and cooperation among health workers during the campaign.

They said the vaccine is free and safe and appealed for the commitment of the health works and the public, adding that the campaign would cover 291 wards at 792 vaccination posts

Speaking, the executive secretary of the agency, Kalu Ulu Kalu  said while measles and Rubella share same features, the later can cause complications like a hole n the heart, blindness, and numbness among others.

‎Represented by state’s social mobilisation officer, Chukwudi Ukpabi, he assured that the agency is 80 percent ready for the campaign as all logistics and funding needed would be completed before it starts.

‎Last  week, LEADERSHIP reported that both public and private schools in the state had been urged to grant health workers access to vaccinate pupils and students of the age bracket

‎The commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi stated made the appeal while declaring open a one-day sensitization programme on the campaign in the state capital.