Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) says it will begin a catch-up immunisation campaign on Friday to cover children who missed previous vaccinations and unvaccinated children.

Dr Nnamdi Uliagbafusi, director, Disease Control and Immunisation, ASPHCDA, made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting organised on Wednesday in partnership with the ministry of health, in Awka.

Mr Uliagbafusi said the meeting was part of pre-implementation activities to ensure the success of the ‘Big Catch-up’ immunisation campaign holding in nine local government areas with zero dose and unvaccinated children.

He identified Aguata, Ayamelum, Anaocha, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Nnewi South as the LGAs where the exercise would be held.

According to him, immunisation will commence on Friday, Dec. 13, and end on Wednesday, Dec.18, at designated health centres, community centres, and other outreach centres.

“Routine immunisation plays a critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality among children under five. It helps to safeguard and secure their health.

“This coming ‘Big Catch-up’ campaign is to strengthen immunisation efforts for our children between zero and 59 months and to ensure that no child is left behind.

“But we cannot achieve universal routine immunisation coverage without collaboration with various stakeholders. Hence this meeting.

“We are appealing to our religious, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to take the message of routine immunisation to our communities,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, permanent secretary, ministry of health, said the immunisation campaigns were an opportunity for stakeholders to play their roles in their respective communities.

“This is the time for us to inform and educate our people on vaccinations, which is important and key in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases in Anambra.

“The catch-up exercise is an opportunity for missed children to be reached and immunised as vaccinations have drastically reduced deaths and abnormalities caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.

“I appeal to parents to bring out their children for the exercise, which will start on Friday and will last for six days,” she said.

In his remarks, Ven. Joseph Nweke, chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Anambra chapter, thanked the state government for its efforts in ensuring that children were protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

He promised that religious leaders would play their roles in ensuring that the campaign was successful in implementing LGAs of the state.

(NAN)