Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has flagged off the measles vaccination campaign with a promise to provide all that is required to reach every Abia child with vaccines for the control of measles and other preventable diseases.
Ikpeazu, who made the promise at Itungwa primary school field, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, said that measles was vaccine preventable, adding that the measles vaccination campaign called for the cooperation of parents especially mothers as well as the deep commitment of care givers.
This according to the Abia governor was to ensure that no child lost his/her life on account of measles.
The governor pointed out that vaccination against measles and other preventable diseases would enhance life expectancy, noting that many children had been deformed as a result of non-vaccination against child killer diseases and not due to attacks by ghosts as erroneously believed.
The Commissioner for Health, John Ahukanna disclosed that the measles campaign was targeted at children from 9 months to 5 years, adding that measles is vaccine preventable.
He further said that 197, 000 deaths were attributable to measles globally in 2017 and appealed to stakeholders to assist the government by mobilizing parents to take advantage of the measles vaccination campaign.
Sunday Amechi, the chairman, Obingwa LGA, said mass vaccination was a proactive strategy in the management of measles and promised to partner with the state Ministry of Health on the fight against preventable diseases.
UDOKA AGWU, UMUAHIA.
