By Chioma Umeha
LAGOS – The Katsina State Government says it is
ready to conduct four rounds of polio immunisation for children in the state
starting from September till December.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, said
during the weekend, in Katsina, that the first round of immunisation would commence
on Saturday (today) and last for four days.
Yakubu, who is the chairman of the state taskforce
on immunisation and polio eradication, told members of the taskforce that the
state would not want to take chances with the infection since its resurgence in
Borno State.
He said, “I believe most of you are aware of the
setback the country has experienced due to the discovery of three cases of
polio in Borno State.
“In order to prevent the spread of the infection
to Katsina State, we have planned to conduct four rounds of immunisation for
the remaining period of 2016. We will continue to strengthen routine
immunisation at health facilities and outreaches across the 34 local government
areas.
“Polio anywhere is polio everywhere. So, we must
ensure qualitative campaign that will get the polio vaccine to every child.
“You will agree with me that having four rounds of
polio campaign before the end of the year requires a lot of commitment, hard
work, massive mobilisation and effective monitoring and supervision to reduce
programme fatigue, non- compliance and missed children.”
He said previous campaigns had been successful and
expressed optimism that the next rounds would record a high coverage and less
non-compliance.
According to him, a high risk analysis has been
conducted as adequate provisions have been made for high risk areas.
“Senior supervisors have been posted to all the 34
councils while social mobilisation activities are ongoing. Vaccines and other
consumables have arrived the state and are being distributed at the moment,”
Yakubu said.
