Abuja — The World
Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health confirmed two new
cases of polio in Nigeria, yesterday, at an emergency meeting of its
Expert Review Committee (ERC) on Polio and Routine Immunisation in
Nigeria.
The cases of Wild
Polio Virus were recorded in Gwoza and Jere Local Government Areas of
Borno State. An urgent three-phase immunisation plan has been unveiled,
with military escorts mobilised to accompany vaccinators.
The development,
however, did not come to many as a surprise, as an expert confided in
The Guardian that for about three years, vaccinators have not had
regular access to children in the areas.
"Only 15 per cent
of Gwoza community has been accessible to vaccinators in a very long
time. Outbreak response activities have, however, been planned and
include initial emergency immunisation on August 15. There will also be
three separate broader responses on August 27, September 24 and October
22," the source said.
In an interview
with some journalists in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac
Adewole, described the development as a setback for the
country.Meanwhile, some prominent traditional rulers and religious
leaders were commissioned, yesterday, to lead the campaign to boost
maternal and child health in the country.
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