By David Okpashi
The Nasarawa State Government has taken steps to offer vaccination in order to protect children against any outbreak and spread of polio in the state.
State Health Educator at the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), Mr. Ishaya Amegba made the disclosure at a stakeholders roundtable meeting, Tuesday, in Lafia.
According to him, the decision to offer another round of polio vaccine in the state was necessitated by the recent reported cases of another variant of the virus in Plateau State.
He explained that Nasarawa State is bordering Plateau State and it is medically wise to take proactive action to prevent the virus when cases were discovered in a neighboring state.
He added that the engagement was for social mobilisation technical committee to review activities and plan for awareness creation for action to be taken.
“We are preparing for outbreak response in December for circulating polio virus to tackle the new variant of the virus recently discovered in some states including Plateau State.
“Even though the entire country was certified polio-free, the virus is still resurfacing in another form due to some children that were not vaccinated.
“If people are not vaccinated against any virus, there is a tendency that they can be infected with the virus in future just like it is the case with polio now,” he added.
He therefore called on parents to always avail their children for vaccination, because if missed, would affect them in future.
In her goodwill message, Juliana Kudu, Assistant Public Health Officer with World Health Organisation (WHO) Lafia office lauded NAPHDA for prompt action to guard children against polio.
She added that WHO would continue to partner and support the state government towards improving healthcare service delivery in the state.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of WHO, Society for Family Health, media among others.