In Cross River State, about 200,000 minors are currently being immunised against polio virus disease type two, which is common among children aged 0 to 5.
Linda Ayade, the governor of Cross River State’s wife, has urged women, religious leaders, traditional rulers, parents, schools, churches, and other stakeholders to support the fight against polio in their areas.
Mrs. Ayade, who gave the keynote address at the Calabar polio vaccination launch, said it was critical for children’s survival against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr Janet Ekpenyong, Director-General of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, represented Ayade, who stated that the state is targeting over 900,000 children for the exercise.
According to her, the state has launched its second outbreak response, which aims to eradicate the poliovirus type 2 in children and reduce childhood disease.
“Today, the outbreak response 2 Campaign against the dreaded type 2 polio virus begins.” We are targeting children aged 0 to 5 years old in this campaign. This is because we want to ensure that there are no cases of polio in Cross River State.”
“We hope to vaccinate over 900,000 children and believe that doing so will allow us to ensure that every child is protected against the virus.” We do not have any cases of polio in Cross River State, and we hope to keep that status. The type 2 virus has resurfaced in some states, which is why the outbreak response was implemented to prevent the virus from spreading further.
“Polio is a highly infectious disease that affects the body’s nervous system, which is why we should not take it for granted.” It is a disease for which there is no cure once you have contracted it. Mrs Ayade stated, “The only thing you can do is prevent it.”
Ekpenyong, the state’s Director-General of Primary Healthcare, assured that “the oral polio vaccine is not harmful.” It is safe, effective, and completely free.”
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Mrs. Joy Chabo, Director of Immunisation and Disease Control, said of the exercise’s mode and format, “It is imperative to note that polio primarily affects children under the age of five.” Polio has no known cure. Only prevention is possible. That is why a campaign was launched to eliminate the circulating variant Polio Virus Type Two (PVT2) in children and reduce childhood diseases. Vaccinators were seen moving from house to house, religious houses such as churches, mosques, and traditional worship centres, as well as crèches, recreational centers, markets, and shopping malls, among other places, during the campaign.”
The operation began in Big Qua Town, in the Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of southern Cross River State.
