The Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) have solicited for the support of community stakeholders to drive acceptance for vaccines against preventable diseases and COVID-19.
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The agencies made the appeal at a one-day sensitization of strategic community leaders in Calabar, the capital Cross River State, southern Nigeria funded by the Africa Centre for Disease Control, Africa CDC.
In a remark, the State Social Mobilization Officer in the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Nsa Ekpenyong lamented the static percentage of those vaccinated since the last data recorded.
Ekpenyong said that it has become imperative to collaborate with agencies such as the Nigerian Red Cross Society on sensitization and mobilization to create acceptance for its integrated health services.
She stated “the Primary Healthcare Delivery Agency is partnering with the Nigerian Red Cross Society to drive the process of sensitization and social mobilization activities to ensure that integrated health interventions and COVID-19 vaccination messages gets to all our stakeholders, who will in turn inform others in their localities,” she added.
According to her, the agency experienced vaccines shortage during the months of November 2022 through January 2023, which resulted to a lull in the vaccination of process.
Ekpenyong explained that since the receipt of the new allocation in February 2023, there have been renewed efforts to inform the people accordingly, stating: “The lack of vaccines was neither the fault of the agency nor that of the government; it was rather a national issue. However, since we have received the vaccines, we need people to come out and take the vaccines.
“So, we are holding this forum with community leaders from across the military, paramilitary, police, religious associations, refugee groups and traditional institutions to assist us take the message to other people within the areas they reside or work,” she stated.
Also, the secretary of the Cross River State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Joseph Eni said the forum also served to inform the people about the safety of the vaccines especially for COVID-19 and other preventable diseases.
Eni further explained, “without the critical stakeholders we may not be able to reach the target audience. So, the critical stakeholders were invited so that they can assist us disseminate the information to their own people. To let them know that these vaccines are actually safe.”
Meanwhile, in a remark, the Director, Disease Control and Immunization, Mrs. Joy Chabo solicited the regular visits to health facilities for routine checks to enable medical practitioners provide services and care for preventable diseases.
Chabo, who noted that the many health facilities were recording low births at the facilities, urged the leaders to join in the sensitization effort for increased and sustained utilization of medical centres in the state.
Highlight of the one-day interactive session was the vaccination of people with special needs as well as those yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and high blood pressure checks.
Wumi Sam
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