By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
As part of measures to address cases of mutation/variant of Polio disease, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has introduced a second dose of inactivated Polio Vaccine(IPV2) into the Routine Immunization schedule.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency ( DSPHCDA), Dr. Winful-Orieke Jude, made this known during the Stakeholders Mobilization Committee meeting in Asaba, the state capital.
Jude noted that the introduction of the second dose of IPV2 was to increase protection against all polio viruses, including paralysis.
“The Inactivated Polio Vaccine as an injectable Vaccine has been in the Routine Immunization schedule, given a child at 14 week with the addition of the second dose.
“The administration of the vaccine will now be at six first dose and 14 weeks for the second dose,” the Permanent Secretary explained.
In their separate remarks, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Emefiene Onyinye, and the State Immunization Officer, Dr.Ngozi Orofuke, appealed to stakeholders to help sensitise the public on the introduction of IPV2.
They opined that incidence of Polio outbreak was occasioned by Noncompliance cases, adding that parents should overlook temporary discomfort of their children and wards for the life benefits the vaccine.
