Meningitis Vaccine Campaign Sensitization Ends In Anambra

        

The October, 2014 meningitis African Vaccine (menAfrivac) campaign that started on October 21st  ended today 30^th October, 2014  by 12 noon in various government health centers and other temporary fixed posts such as churches ,  schools in Anambra State.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with Anambra state Ministry of Health, have announced the campaign that lasted for 10 days.

Daily Independent reports that the immunization was sequel to recent outbreak of meningitis epidemics in Nigeria which recorded over 55,720 cases with 2,257 deaths in 2009.

Mrs Cordelia Ngwu , a potential woman leader in Agukwu Nri and Mr Ernest Igboanugo , a town union leader in Orumba North said the campaign was well carried out and encouraged the state health officials to show similar commitment in issues of health for the welfare of its citizens.

Although the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike has not officially briefed newsmen of the outcome of the exercise , reports from the 177 communities in the state indicated a large turn out for the immunization as the health officials took the exercise to the schools and churches as well as markets for effective immunization.

Odogwu Blog monitored the exercise in Orumba North , Aguata , Awka South , Anaocha and Awka North local government areas were health officials were besieged for immunization sequel to support from communities through mobilization by town criers.  

Akabuike had earlier at a press conference described meningitis as a dangerous infectious disease which is  caused by a bacterlum that affects many people and kills as well, noting that the epidemics is transmitted from person to person through droplets from the nose and mouth.
The commissioner further argued that “Meningitis is a huge problem in Nigeria as about 26 States in Nigeria including the FCT are a very high risk of meningitis outbreaks”. “Every year”, he continued,” about 5,000 Nigerians are affected by the disease”
Dr. Akabuike identified high fever, headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, stiff neck and confusion as the major signs and symptoms of meningitis adding that menAfrivac will only be effective against group A meninggoccoccal meningitis which, according to him, will be administered to 70 percent of the total population of the target group which he said, falls between 1 to 29 years.
He stated that the overall aim of the campaign is to eliminate epidemics of meninggoccoccal meningitis due to serotype A from Nigeria.
According to him, “The specific objective of the campaign is to vaccinate 95 percent of all individuals between 1-29 years of age  in the meningitis belt of Nigeria with the  new conjugate A meningitis vaccine and to establish a pharmaco-vigilance system for monitoring adverse events following immunization. Anambra had the last case in 2012 but there were no casualties” he said.
Two partners in the campaign, Dr. Roseline Onyibe of World Health Organization (WHO) and Diden Gbofeyin of UNICEF expressed fear that the target age group may not participate in the exercise and urged all persons concerned, including the media and faith based organizations to assist in the awareness campaign.
Earlier, the Director primary Health Care and disease Control in the ministry, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye said the vaccine is free and effective as it protects for 10 years.