Borno govt recieves another 669,569 cholera vaccines from UNICEF, partners
By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri.
The Borno state government has received additional 669,569 doses of vaccines from UNICEF and partners for the vaccination of residents against cholera in the state.
The Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Service, Baba Mallam Gana, who was represented by State Director, Disease Control and Immunisation of Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Fati Ali, applauded UNICEF and its partners for supporting the state government at a trying moment.
She noted that the effort of UNICEF and its partners is timely considering waterborne diseases that might occur as result of recent flood disaster witnessed in the state.
“UNICEF Is one of the partners supporting and collaborating with the state 100 percent. We have received 669,569 doses of cholera vaccines. Earlier we have received more than 300,000 dosage of cholera vaccine. We urge everyone to go to the nearest hospital facilities to collect the vaccination” said Fati.
Earlier, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri field office, Dr. Gerida Birukila urged residents to accept and go for the oral vaccines while noting that it does not have any side effect.
“We have delivered one million doses of cholera vaccines to Borno state in the last one week to prevent further escalation. This is actually the second batch of the vaccine. Around 300,000 doses were already given and we believe this is actually the reasons they were able to arrest the spread of cholera in Borno state especially in the IDP camps and vulnerable population,”
She noted the new vaccines will go a long way to reach those who are at risk of getting cholera.
“This new vaccines will help in reaching those at risk of getting cholera, especially people in crowdy areas and children. As an oral vaccine, it does not have any effect. It is available for people from age one and above. We thank the government of Borno state for giving us the opportunity to be here in order to hand over the vaccines that will protect people from Cholera” she said.
