Big Catch Up” Immunization Exercise Kicks Off in Edo State with 917 Vaccination Teams Deployed Across 149 Wards
The Edo State Government announced plans on Monday to administer vaccines to 352,544 children aged 0-59 months across its three senatorial districts during the third round of the Big Catch Up (BCU) vaccination campaign, scheduled for April 10-17.
The initiative aims to reach children who may have missed previous vaccination opportunities, particularly those with zero-dose status resulting from disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many of the targeted children have a zero-dose status, meaning they have never received any vaccination due to setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic,” explained Mr. Kenneth Mac-Fisi, Edo Coordinator for Social and Behavioral Change at UNICEF, during a stakeholders meeting. Mac-Fisi emphasized that the vaccines are free.
The eight-day community-based exercise will span 149 wards across 16 local government areas, with 917 vaccination teams mobilized.
Dr. Efomon Eseigbe, a director in the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), lauded the stakeholders’ commitment and reiterated the crucial role of vaccination in bolstering children’s immunity. “Children, who missed the first and second rounds of the vaccines, would have a chance to receive their vaccines during this third phase,” he stated. He also urged stakeholders to combat misinformation surrounding immunization.
Mrs. Irene Uabor, the state Health Educator, emphasized the stakeholder meeting’s purpose: to familiarize participants with the third round’s plan. “The stakeholder meeting was held to familiarise participants with the plan for the third round of the Big Catch Up,” she said and further appealed to parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated, affirming the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
Okundayo Olufemi, a World Health Organization (WHO) official, underscored the significance of the BCU immunisation for children’s health. The campaign is not the final government intervention.
