Zamfara Flags off the Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccination into the IR Schedule

Zamfara State Commissioner for Health Hon. Aliyu Abubakar MC Danmasan in Tsafe, Gusau, performed the official flag-off of the introduction of ROTAVIRUS vaccination into the Routine Immunizations Schedule.

Recall that the Nigerian government has introduced the Rotavirus vaccine into the existing Routine Immunizations (RI) with a view to reducing the fatalities from diarrhea caused by the virus as it affects children of 0 to 2 years.

Speaking on the occasion held at Shagari PHC Birnin Ruwa Gusau, the Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary Pharm. Aliyu Muhammad Maikiyo Maradun asked parents to avail themselves of the opportunity by bringing their children to the R I offering facilities to receive the oral vaccine.

He said for a child to grow healthy and strong, there is a need to give him all the prescribed vaccination; hence the need for parents and caregivers to take note of that, pointing out that the first 1000 days of a child is paramount to his health.

On his part, Executive Secretary of State Primary Health Care Board Dr. Tukur Isma’il said with the flag-off of the introduction of the vaccine, caregivers in the State could now take their children at six weeks to the facilities for vaccination.

According to him ROTAVIRUS constitutes 44% of child diseases and enumerated some preventive measures that if applied could mitigate the spread of the virus among children.

The measures included breastfeeding the newborn child with colostrum, practicing exclusive breastfeeding for six months, vaccination against ROTAVIRUS at 6 weeks, giving vitamin A to a child at 6 months, giving ORS and Zinc when noticing diarrhea in a child, and practicing good hygiene at home.

On the occasion, the representative of the Hon. Commissioner for Health performed the symbolic administration of the vaccine on a sampled child.

The occasion was attended by representatives of UNICEF, CDC Afenet, and WHO.

By PHCB | Zamfara

Juliana Abude-Aribo | Editor | LISDEL