Polio: Bauchi council targets 233,485 children for immunisation

Bauchi Local Government Council in  Bauchi State is targeting 233,485 children in a five-day immunisation against poliomyelitis to curb the Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus Type 2 (cVDPV2) found in the council. ‎Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polio Virus Type 2 (cVDPV2) was discovered at Gwallaga Mosque area linking three wards of Makama B, Hardo and Dankade areas of Bauchi Local Government through samples collected from various locations on monthly basis. Mr Bako Gamawa, the Director, Primary Health Care (DPHC) of the council, told newsmen in Bauchi on Saturday, that the immunisation, which started on today (Saturday) would be carried out from house to house within the metropolis and its environs. 50 IDPs benefit from housing scheme in Adamawa ‎According to him, the immunisation is an outbreak response campaign to get rid of any elements of virus across the council. ‎ Gamawa said that the council was working with stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, development partners, and the media to fast track the campaign toward eradicating polio virus in the council and the state at large. ‎ The state’s Immunisation Officer, Mr Bako Ahmed, also told NAN that the state government embarked on outbreak response to curb the circulating vaccine derived polio virus found in Bauchi Local Government. ‎ He said “the outbreak response is with regard to the recent case of circulating vaccine derived polio virus reported from an environmental isolated sample. ‎ “Nine local government areas of Bauchi South senatorial district and two from Bauchi Central  are conducting the rounds, following the outbreak in Yobe and Jigawa: the aim is to ensure that all 0-59 months children are covered.” ‎ The Deputy Health Educator and Social Mobilisation Officer in the state, Alhaji Ribadu Mohammed, explained to NAN that mobilisation had been carried out by the government and the media to traditional and religious leaders to mobilise their subjects. ‎ He urged parents, traditional rulers and religious leaders to support to ensure that every eligible child benefits from the exercise.