Cross River targets over 887,000 children in first round Outbreak Response on Poliomyelitis

No fewer than 887,000 children from 0 to 59 months would be targeted in the First Round Outbreak Response on Poliomyelitis in Cross River State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu stated this at the official flagging off of the OBR1 exercise at the PCN Primary School, Big Quo Town, recently.

She said the vaccines would help protect children from Polio Virus Type 2, as over 300 cases have been recorded across Nigeria with none in Cross River.

Dr Edu said Polio Vaccines Type 1 and 3 had already been administered, disclosing that Type 2 was showing up again in neighbouring states, and therefore mothers should ensure that they get their children vaccinated. 

"Every day in Cross River State we try to prevent disease outbreak just like we did during the outbreak of COVID-19. We started an early prevention campaign and this is what the Governor, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade has been emphasizing on - disease prevention. As a State, we don't have polio cases yet but we must not relent because one case in a neighbouring state can spread rapidly to our state, Cross River and affect our children. Our neighbouring states already have one or two cases which mean we're not safe and must ensure our children under age 0-59 months get the Polio vaccine while we continue to do our best to prevent any outbreak.

"We've decided to carry out an integrated approach where children get the Polio vaccination while their mothers and fathers or caregivers who haven't received the COVID-19 vaccines are vaccinated. Our health workers have been equipped to attend to both adults and children as this is not only limited to Polio and COVID-19 vaccines alone but every other immunization/vaccination process that the child needs to grow and live healthily. Let me charge all health workers on behalf of the Governor, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade that 100% success needs to be achieved in this exercise as our target is to reach out to over 887,000 children aged 0-59 months and their parents .", she said.