By Magnus Effiong
With the fears of outbreak of diseases, including diarrhea, in many States as a result of flood, the government of Cross River State has said the Federal Government’s introduction of rotavaccine to combat rotavirus, which causes diarrhea, was timely and commendable.
The deputy Governor of the State, Prof Ivara Esu, said this during the flag off of integrated measles vaccination campaign and the introduction of rota vaccine in Cross River, weekend.
Speaking while vaccinating some children between 9 months and five years in Calavar South, Esu commended President Muhammadu Buhari for exhibitibg rare passion for the health of Nigerian children with the vaccination campaign.
“The introduction of rota vaccine in particular, especially during this period that flood has brought many States to their knees, is commendable. It will go a long way to mitigate effects of diarrhea in such places.
“We urge parents whose children are from 9 months to 5 years of age, who had earlier missed the doses of the measles vaccines, to come forward and ensure their children are vaccinated against measles and diarrhea, while adults avail themselves of the COVID 19 vaccination,” he stated.
In her remarks, the Director General of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, explained that “Rotavirus is one of the major causes of diarrhea in children and we know that diarrhea contributes to high mortality rate of children and infants.
“Before now, it was a scarce commodity found only in private heath facilities which sold it at high cost. I had to pay N12,000 to get my children vaccinated against diarrhea.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government for flagging off the rotavaccine and making it available free of charge. The vaccine is now part of our integrated measles vaccination campaign and we are targeting at least 700,000 children. Parents and caregivers should make good use of this opportunity.”
