In a concerted effort to bolster COVID-19 vaccination rates in Edo State, the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has joined forces with the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (MRITE) in a statewide vaccination ramp-up campaign aimed at enhancing herd immunity.
The ramp-up campaign which commenced on the 8th of December, 2023 is set to bring COVID-19 vaccination services to people in the markets, institutions, key populations, and communities through compound meetings, extending its impact across the State’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) until January 2024.
The focus is on educating Edo residents about the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen expressed profound gratitude to MRITE for their support in implementing the COVID-19 vaccination ramp-up program across the State’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Dr. Izedonmwen addressed the issue of misinformation, urging rumor peddlers to refrain from spreading false narratives that could hinder the crucial vaccination efforts. He emphasized the life-saving impact of vaccines in preventing vaccine-preventable illnesses, ultimately safeguarding individuals from potentially fatal outcomes.
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization EDSPHCDA, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomon affirmed the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, reiterating that they are administered free of charge. He urged the public to dismiss false narratives and misconceptions surrounding the safety of the vaccines, emphasizing their critical role in the fight against the pandemic.
Maureen Anyanwu, the MRITE State Lead, called upon various stakeholders, including the state government, religious leaders, civil societies, and community leaders, to lend their voices to the vaccination cause. Anyanwu disclosed that the current vaccination coverage stands at 58 percent and emphasized that there is a need for a collaborative effort to achieve a 70 percent coverage, thereby attaining herd immunity in Edo State.
As part of the campaign initiative, pluses were being distributed across the state to further motivate people to come forward for vaccination.
The campaign extends beyond vaccination sites, with health educators actively engaging in integrated advocacy and sensitization efforts across the LGAs.
