By Gloria Osemudiamhen
In commemoration of the African Vaccination Week, the Edo State Government in through its Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Institute of Child Health (ICH) UNIBEN/UBTH, has organized a free vaccination exercise for children of aged 0 – 5 years.
At the flag-off ceremony held at Eyean Primary Health Care Centre on Benin-Auchi Road, at Eyaen, the Coordinator, Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani while appreciating mothers and stakeholders, emphasized the importance of vaccination and its roles in maintaining children’s health.
Mrs. Anani stated, “I am happy to be here because women are important to me. Our office handles women and children’s affairs. Thank you for coming to immunize your children and receive vaccines. This vaccine is vital; health is wealth. A child’s health is paramount to their mother and the entire family. Immunization ensures our children are healthy, and healthy children build a healthy nation. Let’s prioritize our children’s health through vaccination.”
She also emphasized the importance of breastfeeding, highlighting its role in protecting children from diseases and infections, which are associated with poor hygiene. Citing personal experience with exclusive breastfeeding for her children, she encouraged all mothers to adopt same practice, saying “I’m an advocate for breastfeeding. I exclusively breastfed all my children for six months and three weeks, and I believe it’s a crucial part of a mother’s responsibility to her child.”
The State Coordinator of WHO, Dr. Nora Eyo, commended the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led Government for its health reforms and expressed appreciation to Mrs. Anani for her passion for maternal and child health. Dr. Eyo stated, “We appreciate His Excellency, Governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for his immense support to the health sector. We also thank the First Lady for flagging off the African Immunization Week. We appreciate her and her Team for taking time out of their busy schedule to support this programme.”
Dr. Eyo highlighted the programmes’ objective and outlined the various vaccines available, urging all mothers to take advantage of the opportunity to vaccinate their children. She said, “African Vaccination Week typically takes place on the last week of April every year. The goal is to improve immunization coverage and ensure all children in the target age group are vaccinated and protected against life-threatening preventable diseases. We appreciate our mothers for participating in this event. WHO will continue to support health programmes in Edo State to maintain improved health indices.
“The vaccines we will be administering include Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to prevent poliomyelitis, BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis, Penta vaccine which protects against five diseases, Measles vaccine to prevent measles, Yellow Fever vaccine, and MenA vaccine to prevent meningitis. Additionally, Vitamin A supplements will be provided to protect our children’s eye health.”
In his remarks, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomon, commended Sen. Okpebholo for his passion for maternal and child health. Dr. Efeomon cited the Governor’s health reforms, including the renovation and staffing of Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, as well as support for health outreaches and programmes. He encouraged parents to consistently vaccinate their children, noting that vaccination helps build immunity against diseases without adverse effects.
