The Cross River State Government launches a six day routine immunisation exercise to boost vaccination rate in the state.
Speaking at the launch held at Big Qua Health Centre in Calabar Municipality, Dr. Vivian Mesembe, the Director General of the State Health Care Development Agency, explained that the campaign targets areas where immunisation rates are low, based on available data.
The six-day exercise will take place in health facilities, churches, markets, mosques, and other locations within the affected districts.
The Director General said the campaign, supported by the National Health Care Development Agency and development partners, offers residents another chance to get vaccinated.
She explained that the goal is to prevent disease outbreaks that could lead to complications like malnutrition, diarrhoea, and pneumonia.
“The purpose of this exercise is to make sure every child in the three local government areas is vaccinated,” she said.
She therefore urged all mothers and caregivers in the affected areas to take part in the immunisation campaign.
She pointed out that the state is currently facing a shortage of health workers and wants to avoid adding more strain while continuing efforts to fight diseases and prevent new outbreaks.
Parents who participated in the exercise expressed their gratitude to the Federal and State Governments, as well as health sector partners, for bringing quality healthcare closer to them. They said this effort will help prevent deadly childhood diseases and promote the health of citizens.
The event also included goodwill messages from the National Health Care Development Agency and representatives of key health partners, such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), AFINET, Breakthrough Action, and SYDANI Foundation.
