• As Exercise begins nationwide 10 - 17 April
Kingsley Abavo, (Managing Editor), Benin
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA); have called for increased stakeholders collaboration ahead of the nationwide vaccination exercise which begins on the 10 to 17 April, 2025.
The Health bodies said going into the third phase of the vaccination campaign tagged: 'Big Catch Up'; collaboration by everyone becomes very necessary after the seeming failure of the second phase in Edo State.
The call was made on Monday, 7 April, 2025 at the Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization meeting in Benin City, the State Capital.
Okuneye Olufemi Toheeb, the 'BCU' State Technical Officer for WHO addressed the meeting.
Also, Dr. EFEOMON ESEIGBE Director Disease Control and Immunization (DDCI), Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency and Kenneth Mac-Fisi EdoSBC State Facilitator
UNICEF.
The 'Big Catch Up' (BCU) vaccination philosophy was adopted; aimed to reach every child: from zero dose and children between age 12 to 59 months to recover ground lost and for effective capture of the set target, it was said. "No Child of vaccination age must be left behind."
At the beginning of the campaign, 14 local Government Councils were captured in Edo but have been increased to 16 for more effective capture, it was disclosed.
According to Toheeb, the BCU Vaccination is very relevant going into the third phase to prevent children from morbidity, disability and mortality caused by Vaccination Preventable Diseases (VPD).
To interrupt on going protracted VPD Outbreaks, Build population immunity, and "to realise our goals/vision for Vaccine preventable disease control, elimination, and eradication."
Others include; "to ensure the right of the child to get vaccines, and to save the cost of households from medical attention."
Further, it was stressed that the need for aggressive education of the parents particularly mothers, about what to expect (reaction) when the vaccine is administered, by officials was emphasised.
This is to demystify the myths about vaccination amongst the people, he said.
For example; parents should expect that when some of the vaccines are administered, the children will run temperature and when it happens, paracetamol should be given to the child but if the situation persists, "visit the nearest health facility," it was advised.
It was also informed that Polio exercise will begin nationwide towards the end of April; the first phase and second phase; two weeks into the month of May in which Edo has been scheduled.
The vaccination campaign is a proactive action of the health facilitators against the outbreak and spread of 'Vaccine Preventable Diseases,' it was reemphasized.
The first phase of the BCU held in January with a huge success recorded in Edo but for reasons yet to be fathomed, the second phase in February was a big flop with a wide gap from the first.
Therefore, all stakeholders must close ranks to ensure the target goal is achieved by doing that which is required, particularly information sharing; to create the necessary awareness amongst mothers and make their children available for the vaccination, it was re-echoed.
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