Following the outbreak of Diphtheria in Abuja, an immunization officer in Rivers state, Dr. Joseph Urang has called for the vaccination of children in the state.
According to NirgInfo, Dr. Urang said that although there are no threats of the disease in the state, the emergency response team of the Ministry of Health is on alert.
He also said routine immunization coverage in the state has now been extended to children under two years old following the introduction of the measles vaccine.
“We have not really seen the threat here (Rivers State). Once we get that threat, then obviously we will get that job done. And of course, we are on red alert looking out for any outbreak of diphtheria in the state and once that happens, we will respond almost immediately,” he said.
“If any child under two years old comes to any of our health facilities and has not taken the pentavalent vaccine which contains antigen against diphtheria, they will be given that particular vaccine.
“But those who are outside that age range, we need what we call ‘Catch up Campaign’ to catch up with those who have weaning immunity or those who are not vaccinated within that age bracket as at that time or we do an outbreak response pending on the situation that presents itself,” he added.
