Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme FCA, on Tuesday, flagged of 2025 National Immunization Plus Day (NIPDs) campaign.
The flag off ceremony took place at Asaba.
He called for collective efforts for the immunization campaign programme to be successful.
According to the Deputy Governor who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Delta State, Sir Christopher Osakwe, the immunization would check the spread of polio variants.
He said, “In this campaign, the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) will be administered to children aged 0 – 59 months from house to house and at fixed vaccination posts.
“Other strategic areas likely to be visited by health workers are schools, worship places, markets and transit posts.
“It is worthy to note that the campaign will boost population herd immunity – vaccination of one child could benefit the general population and as such, i advise that every child within the targeted age receives the oral polio vaccine and other vaccines.
“Vaccination is a sure public health strategy for improving the health of vulnerable population against Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD), it also saves the family income and increase the productivity of an individual.
“National Immunization Plus Day (NOPOs) are meant to bridge the gap of routine immunization, knowing well that polio disease paralyses and causes death to those affected.
“Nigeria recorded 166 cases of variant polio varius type 2 in 2023, and 122 cases in 2024.
“I sincerely on behalf the Government of Delta State appreciate our partners in progress; WHO, UNICEF for your technical and logistic support, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for its meaningful coordination; the health workers for their sacrifices and commitment.”
“The success of the campaign rest on our collective responsibility; while the public should be duly aware of the Oral Polio Vaccination Campaign, I enjoin that parents and caregivers should bring their children and wards to be vaccinated.”
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme at the occasion, said, “it is worth noting that polio virus is transmitted from person to
person and It is highly associated with
poor sanitary conditions that are still rife in Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Functioning Executive Director, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Yinkore Paul said that Nigeria has done well in regular immunization.
In their separate goodwill massages, the representatives of Nigeria Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA ), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF ), called for all to work with renewed determination, compassion, and unity, to stop polio variants knowing that the impact of work would reverberate through generations.
Highpoint of the occasion was the vaccination of children at the venue
The important element of the timely move is that it gives Delta State a new impetus on national governance voice at all levels in the three senatorial districts