We recorded over 85% coverage in special polio immunisation in Enugu ― Perm Sec

THE Enugu State Ministry of Health says it recorded over 85 per cent coverage in the just-concluded special polio immunisation in Enugu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five days state-wide house-to-house vaccination, which started on July 27 and ended July 31, involved immunization of children from zero to five years.

Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi, Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, told NAN on Friday in Enugu that the exercise was a huge success as the ministry surpassed 85 per cent coverage rate.

Agujiobi noted that with the success rate, there was no need for any mop-up exercise.

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“We recorded over 85 per cent coverage rate of 300,000 infants between zero and five years in the just concluded state-wide special polio immunization.

“It was a huge success to achieve a target of over 265,000 of the estimated 300,000 infants to be reached.

“I must thank mothers, caregivers as well as our health workers, trained health personnel and their aids in the state.

“Special thanks goes to our partners that ensured that we succeeded in the overall aims and objectives of the exercise,’’ he said.

The permanent secretary noted that the state, within the next three months, would embark on another state-wide general immunization against child-killer diseases and other sicknesses affecting children.

“Our next immunization will come within the next three months during our maternal, infant and newborn week celebration in the state,’’ he said.

NAN reports that trained health officials and their aides from the ministry went house-to-house, worship centres/churches, market squares and civil centres to administer these oral polio vaccines on infants.

It will be recalled that the last case of polio in Nigeria was recorded on Aug. 21, 2016.

The country will get the “International Polio-free Certification’’ on Aug. 21, having maintained polio-free status for three years.