Board conducts 1st-round polio immunisation vaccination

The FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (FCTPHCDB) has flagged off the first round of the 2017 sub-national immunization plus days in the FCT aimed at vaccinating children under 5 years against polio.

Speaking at the occasion at the Family Health Clinic, Area 2, at the weekend, Executive Secretary, FCTPHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said over 700,000 children were targeted for the four-day exercise.

He said the FCT minister had approved N7.9 million for the campaign to enable the board meet up with the target. He said 70 supervisors will monitor the exercise which is also expected to be carried out in all the area councils of the territory.

Dr. Rilwanu said the goal of the programme has been shifted from 2018 to 2019. He said children below the age of 5 years would be vaccinated in households including markets, motor parks, airport, railway stations and worship centres.

He said over 920,000 doses of the polio vaccine have been received from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to enable FCT meet up with the target.

The Executive Secretary, therefore appealed to parents to cooperate with the trained vaccinators deployed for the exercise in order to ensure that all eligible children are immunized.

He called on FCT residents to cultivate and maintain a high level of personal hygiene by keeping a clean environment, proper hand washing and avoid open defecation.