FG Introduces 2nd Measles Vaccination At 15 Months

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced the development of the second dose of measles routine immunization in the country.

The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this on the Agency’s Twitter handle on Tuesday.

Shuaib noted that the routine is scheduled to commence from December 7, in 19 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Before now, the immunization was only administered at nine months but the agency said
all children will be vaccinated at 15 months with the vaccine.

“I want to assure you that vaccines given to our children are potent, safe and effective.

“At the NPHCDA, we will continue to do our best to ensure our children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. We call on parents and caregivers to always do the needful.

“Remember to keep the child’s vaccination card safe and present it at every hospital visit. For complaints and enquiry, contact us on these toll-free numbers: 08031230414, 08031230416 Email us at [email protected],” Shuaib said.

In recent years, there has been a global resurgence of measles with ongoing outbreaks in different parts of the world.

The World Health Organisation had stated that vaccination coverage gaps have been further exacerbated in 2020 by COVID-19.

“In 2019, measles climbed to the highest number of new infections in more than two decades. Annual measles mortality data for 2019 to be released next week will show the continued negative toll that sustained outbreaks are having in many countries around the world,” WHO said.

However, in November WHO and UNICEF Issued an urgent call to action to avert major measles epidemics following the effect of the pandemic on immunization services worldwide.

The call was aimed at ensuring vulnerable children had access to vaccines even in the face of the pandemic that has left them susceptible to preventable childhood diseases.