FG Begins Measles Immunisation Campaign In 19 Northern States

The federal government is to begin its measles immunization campaign across the 19 northern states of the federation from the 21st to the 28th of this month.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the executive secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Mohammed Ado, also revealed that it will extend its follow-up campaign against measles to 96 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the northern states.

He said some of the states include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while the second phase will commence on 28th January to 1st February, 2016 in the 17 southern states.
He also disclosed that the agency had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private providers in 2012 to provide immunization services to children, adding that 60 per cent of health care services in the country are provided by them.

He said: The children to be targeted are from 9 months to 59 months. It is very important because a successful campaign would reduce 40 per cent of Under 5 mortality rate in the country.
“We want the media to also help us create more awareness on this campaign for the benefit of the masses. It will hold virtually at all public places including bus stops, churches, major traffic points, border towns, among others.”