The Nigerian Government has flagged off vaccination of children against diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus disease.
The country’s Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, flagged off the vaccination programme in Abuja, the nation’s capital as part of activities marking African Vaccination week with the theme, “Long Life for all” advocating for unvaccinated children, in Africa.
While stressing the importance Rotavirus vaccine in the country, Minister noted that more than ninety percent of the deaths occur in developing countries including Nigeria.
Ehanire said, “The vaccine is of great importance as it will avert the death rate related to diarrhoea for about ten years.”
The Minister, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Morenike Alex-Okoh, advised parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against Rotavirus and all other childhood killer diseases as this would improve the health of children.
Also, Minister of State Federal Capital Territory, Mrs Rahmatu Tijjani, believes that the Rotavirus vaccine will reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of children under five years as a result of diarrhoea.
Represented by the Mandate Secretary Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Dr Tafida Abubakar, the Minister gave the assurance that, FCTA will continue to provide the necessary support to the Heath sector for the wellbeing of FCT residents.
She called on African countries to accept COVID-19 vaccines in order to build stronger immunity for the population in the continent.
The Executive Secretary National Primary Heath care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shu’aib, said that the introduction of the vaccine into the routine immunization schedule in Nigeria would help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with Rotavirus infections among under-five children by forty percent.
“The Nigerian strategy for immunization and PHC system strengthening (NSIPSS) 2.0 clearly articulates strategies to be employed in getting sustainable high coverage levels for all antigens most especially for new vaccines introduced in the country.”
Dr Shu’aibu said the Rotavirus vaccine is proven to prevent diarrhoea disease caused by Rotavirus.”
Development partners and donor agencies at the event promised continued support towards the eradication of childhood killer diseases in Nigeria.
Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhoea disease amongst infants and children all over the world, accounting for about two hundred and fifteen thousand deaths of the global five hundred and twenty-five thousand under-5 mortality attributed to diarrhoea disease each year.
PIAK
