Borno To Give Measles Vaccination In 15 Local Government Areas

By Ibrahim-Gwamna Mshelizza
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Despite the insurgency bedeviling Borno state which makes it difficult for passage to many of its local government areas, about a million children between 9 and 59 months will be immunized against measles in the next five days.

The one million children, according to the state commissioner of health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia will receive measles in 15 local government areas of the state during the flag-off between 21st and 24th of November.

The commissioner, who spoke at the state's 2015 measles follow up campaign flag off in Maiduguri on Friday, said the state decided to start the vaccination for one of the major child killer diseases early to stop the threat.

Mshelia said: "We are starting the immunization of measles very early to prevent the children from suffering from it. The disease occur around the month of April and May and the launching of the immunization programme now is timely."

The wife of Borno state governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who flagged off the campaign, said: "Measles is indeed a very dangerous disease that kills our young ones every year; it is therefore our collective responsibility to fight it to the end."

She asked all parents, guardians and caregivers to ensure that their children within the age specification are brought forward for vaccination.

She equally called on all and sundry particularly mothers, parents, elders, traditional rulers and scholars to lead the campaign in their respective communities and ensure the success of the immunization.

Hajiya Shettima also called on all women leaders to work towards the success of the campaign at the targeted 15 local government ares of the state.