BENIN CITY – The Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki yesterday flag-off a three days COVID-19 mass vaccination and awareness campaign in the state with a call on the people for collective efforts to ending the COVID-19 virus in the state.
The governor lamented that the third wave of the virus as a trying period as the state recorded an alarming number of infections and deaths.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, the governor said over ninety-six percent the infections and deaths recorded in the state were those who did not take the virus vaccine.
“This is why we advocate that that as many people as possible get vaccinated so that we do not overstretch our health system and trigger a collapse”.
Continuing, he said, “It is wise and pragmatic to embrace vaccination which is not only important but also urgent. The vaccine is a sustainable solution to help prevent a devastating fourth wave.
According to the governor, the vaccine campaign will be taking place across the eighteen local government areas of the state where mass vaccination sites are expected to be established beyond the health facilities.
He said such sites as organizations, religious houses, market places and other strategic locations have been targeted for the campaign exercise, adding that there would be special mobile vaccination teams and vans roaming and visiting busy places with high traffic to ensuring public access.
The governor further disclosed that Moderna and Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccines have been made available, adding that Johnson and Johnson was still being expected in the state.
He assured that the all COVID-19 vaccines were potent, safe and effective, adding that health workers have been adequately trained to administer the vaccine.
Noting that government could not defeat the virus alone, the governor sued for collaborative role by way of ensuring strict adherence to the safety protocols with a view to oneself and love ones from the virus.
” We should also support the government by conveying truthful, factual and verified messeges in order to dispel rumours around the vaccine”.
The Executive Secretary, Edo state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Erhabor Osarenokemen Julie appealed to persons
within the ages of 18 and above yet to take the vaccine to visit nearest vaccination centers in the state with a view to possessing the vaccination card.
Dr. Julie who asserted that the clock was already ticking on the basis of the need to ending COVID-19 virus as a public health problem in the state, said cooperative commitment were required from various stakeholders and community leaders towards promoting awareness and vaccine confidence in the people.
She said it was high time the house was put in order in view of preventing the impending spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said; “In addition to vaccination, let us continue to carry out public health and social measures which have proven critical to limiting the transmission of COVID-19 virus such as of face mask in public places, washing of hands with soaps and water/using alcohol-based sanitizers among others.
She noted the present delicate festive period which he viewed as high risk for the spread of the virus, especially as diaspora sons and daughters would be returning home for the Christmas celebration.
The Executive Secretary pointed out that some countries were already experiencing the fourth wave of the virus, disclosing that Edo state has ramped up a state-wide mass vaccination campaign to vaccinate no less than seventy percent of its eligible target population towards achieving herd immunity before the end year 2021. “The idea of the mass vaccination campaign is to increase the number of fully vaccinated eligible population in the state”, stated the Governor.
She seized the occasion to appraise the commitment of the partners, including NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF African CDC for their overwhelming support as well as the tireless efforts of the health workers who he said in spite of their challenges have continue to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to eligible persons in the state, just as he described them as the hidden heroes in the fight against COVID-19.
The Edo state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria described the flag off of the ceremony as unique, especially as it provided for free medical services to the people.
Prof. Akoria disclosed that about three thousand COVID-19 cases were reported across the country, adding that about one hundred cases have so far reported in the state.
She said the state government was committed towards increasing the awareness on the 3-Cs – avoiding Close contacts, Close spaces and Crowded places.
