Benue State government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and partners have commenced plans to vaccinate about 1.3 million women of child bearing age against tetanus.
State Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Mr. Joseph Ngbea who stated this while briefing newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday said the vaccination was the third round of Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Eradication (MNTE) vaccination campaign.
Ngbea explained that the MNTE vaccination campaign which commenced from Monday 19th to end on Friday 23rd July, 2021 from 8am to 2pm daily is being carried out in the 18 high risk LGAs including Vandeikya, Kwande, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Ushongo, Kosnshisha, Makurdi, Guma, Gboko, Tarka, Gwer-East, Ado, Apa, Obi, Ogbadibo, Okpokwo, 0tukpo.
He said the essence is to ensure that all women between the ages of 15 years to 49 years are vaccinated against tetanus.
“The Benue state government is fully prepared to implement the campaign with 1,300,000 doses of vaccine and corresponding logistics, 945 vaccination posts/teams with 4,000 trained health workers strategically located at health centres to ensure every eligible woman is vaccinated.
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“To ensure adequate supervision of the campaign, 140 supervisors/monitors have been deployed to give technical support and ensure optimal implementation. The vaccination is safe and free,” the Commissioner said.
He advised all stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders to support the campaign by mobilizing eligible women in their domain to Health facilities from 19th to 23rd July, 2021 to access vaccination to be protected against tetanus.
The Commissioner further advised women to continue vaccination at health facilities after the campaigns and complete the vaccination schedule for a life long protection against tetanus and protection of all neonates.
