Over 150 religious leaders receive COVID- 19 vaccines in C’river

Edo urges vaccination as unvaccinated persons account for more deaths

CROSS RIVER State government has disclosed that no fewer than 150 Religious leaders under the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja have received the COVID- 19 vaccines.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, who led a team of health specialists to Bekwarra Council of the state, expressed satisfaction with the Catholic Church for championing the advocacy for COVID- 19 prevention and vaccination.

Commending the church, she said: “The exceptional leadership nature of the church has improved widespread knowledge of the vaccine, various kind of variants and best management protocols as the virus keeps spreading, we need to quickly get between 80 per cent and 90 per cent vaccinated to achieve herd immunity and contain the spread of the disease.”

She encouraged people to get vaccinated against the pandemic to stop further spread of the virus.

On her part, Director- General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said myths and misconceptions about the vaccine had caused fear and panic in the minds of most people.

She explained that the COVID- 19 vaccine, like other vaccines, create antibodies and boost immunity of individuals hence the need for collective awareness creation for overall acceptance.

Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Religious Affairs, Reverend Father Bob Etta, commended the governor for the reforms in the health sector, noting that Cross River people had enjoyed comprehensive healthcare services at affordable rate.

Representatives of the World Health Organisation ( WHO), Sanyus Agba, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Julius Idoko and staff of state ministry of health and the primary health care agency attended the event.

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EANHWILE, Edo State Government, yesterday, disclosed that it has intensified the vaccination of citizens in the 18 councils, as the state recorded four more COVID- 19- related deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 30.