Ogun State Health Sector Introduce New Vaccines Against Diarrhea

 

The Ogun State Government through the State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHDB), in collaboration with development partners in the health sector, has introduced Rotavirus Vaccine into the national routine immunisation schedule for children of ages 6, 10, and 14 weeks of birth, to protect them against diarrhea and to curb the spread of the disease.

 Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker made this known during the flag-off of the vaccination at Sabo Agura Health Centre in Sagamu Local Government Area, saying the present administration remained committed to reducing child mortality through immunisation.

Dr. Coker, in a statement made available by the Press Officer Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board (OGSPHCDB), Mrs. Yemisi Fashola, stated that Rotavirus is a contagious infection that causes diarrhea disease in infants and young children, adding that it leads to severe watery stool, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain, as well as sudden death if and when it is not promptly attended to.

The Commissioner said the virus was responsible for about 215,000 deaths globally and approximately 50,000 deaths annually among children under five years in Nigeria, affirming that ‘’ the vaccination would serve as a preventive measure against the harmful diseases’’.

 She reiterated that the State government would continue to partner with the Federal Government in the provision of vaccines at no cost, advising parents and caregivers to always visit health facilities for routine immunisation.