Routine immunization is up by 29 percent in 2013 according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). In a chat with Guardian, Executive Director National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ado Gana Muhammad said in addition to the increase in routine immunization, Nigeria also recorded 65 percent reduction in the number of polio cases.
He added that Nigeria has not recorded any case of Type 3 polio and only
one case of Type 2 in 12 months even as it has improved herd immunity
in high-risk areas of the country to 80 per cent.
He said: “I think the progress we have made is due to commitment from the
leadership from President Goodluck Jonathan. We continue to improve on
the quality of the immunisation programme and campaigns. We have gone
microscopic in terms of deploying measures. We have improved the
programme in such a way that we reach every child.
“We are still having challenges with Borno and Yobe. The major problem is insecurity but we try to reach every child. We have improved routine immunisation. People are demanding for vaccines now. We are engaging faith based organisations and all stakeholders. There is no longer generic way of dealing with the polio situation.
“We are almost 12 months
without reporting any type 3 polio case. Nigeria is the only country
that has reduced polio by 65 per cent within one year. We have improved
routine immunisation from 52 per cent to 83 per cent by September 2013.
In addition, we have improved herd immunity to not less than 80 per cent
and that is an indicator that we are near eradication of the virus.”
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