Imo Government to commence 2nd round implementation of 2025 immunization plus day June 28th

By Rozzita Iwunwa

Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, (ISPHCDA), in collaboration with National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA)and partners says it would  Kickstart the implementation of June 2025 National Immunization Plus Days ,(NIPDS), for children within the age bracket of 0_59 months from  Saturday June 28th  to Tuesday 1^st July 2025.

The Executive Secretary of ISPHCDA, Rev. Sr. Dr. Maria Joannes Uzoma made this known while addressing the State’s Social Mobilization Committee  at ISPHCDA’s board room in Owerri.

Uzoma who was represented by the Director of Logistic in the Agency, Dr. Akakuru Kingsley said that the objective of Campaign is to prevent the spread of Polio among children.

She called on members of the social Mobilization Committee to carry the message of the up coming polio vaccination exercise down to the grassroot  to ensure that no Imo child  who falls under the stipulated age bracket is left behind.

“It is the right of every child to be immunized against polio and other killer diseases, don’t deny them access to polio immunization and other health vaccinations that protects them from disabilities and death”

Uzoma informed that the exercise would be hehld at temporary/fixed posts at health facilities and other designated points, House to House, which includes: Schools, Churches, Mosques, Markets, Village squares, Motor parks, where ever the target age groups are found.

The Executive Secretary maintained that  novel Oral polio vaccine is free, safe and effective and would be given to those in the target age bracket irrespective of their previous immunization status adding that  the agency has trained health workers who would carry out the exercise and urged the mobilization officers  to use their various platforms to sensitise, educate and enlighten parents and caregivers on the need to bring out their wards for the exercise and to also counter any negative rumour that might emerge before or within the time frame of the exercise.

She directed mothers and caregivers to take their children less than two years old to the Immunization Post with their Vaccination Cards according to their previous immunization status for other routine antigens.

In his remarks, the Public Health Officer, World Health Organization, Sir Victor Nnawuba, said the Immunization is free, safe and effective, but has cost the Donor Agencies a lot to procure and present for administration to the children and pregnant women, “so immunize your child now to avoid disability and death.” He advised.

Adding his voice, the UNICEF Social & Behavioural Change Officer, Mr. Bright Okereke, expressed happiness over the performance of the state  during the first round of the NIPDS with 107 percent high records which according to him, is a big plus to the State.

He frowned at those who spread false rumours about health activities, pointing out that the outbreak of diphtheria in most parts of the State should be enough warning to take immunization/vaccination seriously.

Okereke stressed the need for the mobilization Committee to leverage o their structures and influence to ensure that the campaign gets to the grassroot.

The State Health Education Officer of ISPHCDA,  Mrs Chinwe Abanobi said the meeting was to brief the Social Mobilization Committee about the 2nd round of immunization exercise so they can spread the information to their respective Organizations and the general public for adequate participation.

Those in attendance included: Programme Officers, Partner Agencies, representatives of the Ministries of Information, Public Orientation & Strategy, Women Affairs & Social Development, Education, other MDAs, NOA, Religious and Traditional Organizations, Media among others.