VIEWPOINT FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF POLIO IMMUNIZATION. IT IS WRITTEN BY ADURAGBEMI AKINLADE, OF OUR PROGRAMMES DEPARTMENT
Polio, a highly contagious and potentially crippling disease, has plagued humanity for centuries.
Thanks to advances in medical science, the society, through vaccination, has been able to prevent this debilitating disease.
One of such vaccination programmes is the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs). An initiative to reach every child under the age of five with the polio vaccine, therefore, it is crucial for mothers to be actively involved in the National Immunization Plus Days campaign. Mothers hold a precious role in society, as they are the primary caregivers of children.
As mothers, it is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of children and according to Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, despite Nigeria’s successful delisting from countries affected by polio, it is crucial for mothers to prioritize polio immunization for their children.
Dr. Olatunji noted that while Nigeria may be polio-free, recent outbreaks caused by vaccine-derived polio serve as a reminder to remain vigilant.
The outbreaks occurred when vaccinated children passed out the vaccine through their faeces, thereby contaminating the environment.
The medical expert notes that the health status of children cannot be determined solely based on previous vaccinations, necessitating the need for all children to again, be vaccinated.
Dr. Olatunji, pointed out the importance of routine immunization with the seven types of vaccines to prolong lives of children under the age of five.
In Oyo state, the first round of National Immunization Plus Days took place from the 30th of September to the 3rd of October, 2023, with 2,477,775 Children aged 0-59 months, immunized, achieving a remarkable coverage rate of 100%.
The next round of National Immunization Plus Days will start on Saturday 11th to Tuesday, 14th of November, 2023.
The success of the first round can be attributed to the synchronization between local government areas and wards. This coordination ensured that no child was left behind and that the vaccine reached even children in most remote areas. Additionally, the regular accountability of vaccines at all levels ensured that there was no shortage or mismanagement of resources.
Also, the collaboration with partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), SYNDANI, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) further enhanced the effectiveness of the campaign.
The involvement of traditional and religious leaders also played a crucial role in spreading awareness and addressing any concerns or misconceptions about the vaccine.
However, the inadequate supply of vaccine carriers and the abscondment of some participants with logistics funds during implementation hindered the smooth progress of the initiative.
Also, late submission and incomplete data received from some LGAs also affected the evaluation and monitoring of the campaign.
Heavy rainfall leading to flooded routes and inaccessibility of some settlements posed significant challenges during the first round of the polio Immunization.
Poor distribution of palliatives by the government to the masses also undermined trust in government-led initiatives, while difficult terrains and bad road networks further hindered the reach of vaccination teams to certain settlements.
Despite these challenges, there were numerous opportunities that were capitalized on during the campaign.
Active involvement of Women Development Committees (WDC) and the collaboration with traditional and religious leaders helped to resolve rejection cases in communities and build trust in the vaccination process.
Furthermore, partnering with security personnel such as AMOTEKUN and local hunters provided support and protection to vaccination teams against violence and insecurity.
In conclusion, the success of the NIPDs in Oyo state is a testament to the power of collective efforts and the dedication of mothers in prioritizing their children’s health.
Therefore, it is imperative for mothers to allow their children be vaccinated against polio from Saturday, 11th to Tuesday, 14th of November, 2023 to ensure the complete eradication of this disease.
It is when we work together, we can create a healthier and brighter future for the nation’s future leaders.
