The Anambra State Government has joined the rest of the world to commemorate the Global/African Vaccination Week.
The Global/African Vaccination Week, usually takes place from twenty-fourth to thirtieth April annually, in synchronization with other World Health Organizations, regions and the World Immunization Week.
Addressing Journalists at a press briefing to announce the week in Awka the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike explained that the week is an opportunity to underscore the importance of immunization in saving lives and encourage families to vaccinate their children against deadly diseases.
He noted that the celebration will provide an opportunity to boost momentum and focus on specific actions such as, raising awareness on how immunization saves lives, increasing vaccination coverage to prevent disease outbreaks, reaching underserved and marginalized communities particularly those living in remote areas, deprived urban settings among others.
According to Dr. Obidike, since 2020, routine immunization has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 containment measures, leading to tens of infants in Africa missing out on essential childhood vaccinations and urged ndi Anambra to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as it is their turn.
In her remark, the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu revealed that through a roadshow and facility visits of Primary Health Care in the State among other initiatives mapped out, this year’s theme, will significantly be highlighted in the lives of every Anambra person.
Contributing, the World Health Organization representative in Anambra State, Dr Moses Ohamaeme acknowledged that one of the most significant public health measures to disease eradication in the world is vaccination and thanked the state government alongside other team players that joined hands to see to the success of the week.
Routine Immunization is a building block of strong Primary Health Care and universal health coverage and it provides a point of contact for health care at the beginning of life and offers every child the chance at a healthy life from the start.
This year’s theme, “Long Life for All,” highlights the life-saving potential of vaccines for everyone, everywhere.
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