Imo State Government vaccinates over 3000 children in the ‘The Big Catch-Up’ vaccination campaign

Due to COVID-19 interruption, about 50,000 infants under the age of one in Imo State, South East Nigeria, would lose out on receiving the Pentavalent Vaccine in 2020.

At the sixth week of life, a single dose of the Pentavalent vaccine is expected to have been administered. A kid is protected from five potentially fatal diseases with the Pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b).

To address the situation, the Imo State Government is launching a “Big Catch-Up” vaccination drive in the state in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other partners.

Cynthia Ogajua, 37, missed her 9-month-old son’s regular vaccines since she gave birth at home and did not attend to the health institution.

“I had no idea he could still get the vaccine after missing it.” I am relieved that the youngsters can still receive the immunizations. “We appreciate the government and its partners making the vaccines free of charge,” she says.

Adults, in addition to children, got COVID-19 vaccinations and benefited from the integrated health services provided during the campaign.
Eze David Onumaraekwu Egwunwoke, the traditional leader of Akwakuma, located in Owerri North Local Government Area (LGA), Imo state, praised the move, saying WHO has always helped the government in bringing health to the doorstep.

He also advises all parents in his neighborhood to ensure that their children are vaccinated and that they do not miss any of the life-saving vitals.

The campaign merged COVID-19 immunization with Routine Immunization (RI) services and Vitamin A supplementation, in line with the Nigerian government’s objective of unifying all Primary Health Care (PHC) services under one plan.

Following the campaign, 211 children received pentavalent and OPV vaccines, and 162 received rotavirus vaccines, with 28 Zero dose children receiving their first dose of the life-saving immunizations.

Meanwhile, 51 people received the COVID-19 vaccine, 56 were tested for hypertension, and 66 were tested for diabetes.

According to Rev. Sister Dr Maria-Joanes Uzoma, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, “the initiative has proven to be particularly effective in reaching populations with limited access to regular health services, as well as providing an opportunity to integrate other health services with the immunization campaign.”

Dr. Uzoma, who is represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Uchechukwu Odom, said WHO has been providing technical help and improving the capacity of health professionals in the state.

He considers the WHO to be an excellent partner in promoting the restoration of primary health care in the state.

UNICEF Consultant, Mr Nwabuisi Augustine, praised the immunization exercise and WHO for its efforts, and pledged that the sister United Nations International organization will continue to provide vaccinations and logistics.

Furthermore, the WHO Imo State Coordinator, Dr Wadzingi Williams Bassi, emphasized that the ultimate goal of the immunization campaign is to safeguard more children, adults, and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases.

He claims that “The Big Catch-Up” campaign is a strategic objective of the World Health Organization’s vaccination program, with the goal of vaccinating all zero-dose children.

He explains that between 2019 and 2021, an estimated 6.2 million Nigerian children missed out on receiving life-saving vaccines due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the exercise aims to ensure that all Zero dose children or those who missed out on the vaccine receive the vaccine.

During the 2023 African Vaccination Week in April, WHO issued a global call to catch up on immunizations lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.

Other services provided in Imo State in addition to immunization were COVID-19 immunizations for adults, noncommunicable disease screening, tuberculosis screening, and health education on critical household behaviors, among others.

The subject of the 2023 campaign was “The Big Catch Up,” with the goal of catching up with children who missed vaccines, particularly during the COVID-19 epidemic, and restoring and strengthening normal immunization systems.