Anambra govt mulls introduction of vaccination certificate for pupils’ enrollment

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State government may introduce compulsory up-to-date vaccination card as prerequisite for child enrollment in schools in the state.

The plan which formed part of deliberations at a meeting of State Social Mobilization Committee, ahead of the upcoming Round two National Immunizations Plus Days (NIPDS 2) followed record of high level of vaccine hesitancy in parts of the state.

The meeting was expedient to consider more result-oriented strategies to address growing challenge of low vaccine uptake experienced in the state.

Speaking during the meeting, Director Disease Control and Immunization, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, ASPHCDA, Dr Placid Uliagbafusi said the NIPDs immunization activity slated for this June was against Circulating Variant Polio Virus Type2 (CVPV2) infection.

He identified those eligible for the vaccines to include children from 0 to 59 months regardless of previous immunization status.

“The aim of the exercise is to ensure that no child is left behind in the state’s efforts to end polio and strengthen routine immunization coverage, to protect the health and future of the children.

“The venues will be fixed posts, house-to-house and other designated points such as churches, mosques, schools, markets, village square, motor-parks, and wherever children may be found,” he added.

State Coordinator for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Bonos Mohammed lamented what he described as unfavorable feedbacks from first round of the NIPDs which took place in May, which he hoped would be corrected in the next edition.

He said, “Having implemented the first round of the NIPDs in May, we received lots of feedback that weren’t very favourable. Part of the feedback showed poor sensitization which led to low vaccine acceptance.

“While we can blame this to the lack of trust and suspicion of residents of any activity of the government, we cannot afford to toy with the health and future of our children.

“If better result will be achieved, our strategy to reach more children in the state must change. We can’t continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. We must be intentional about this.”

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo canvassed for advocacy visits to stakeholders, including religious, community and market leaders to further enlighten them on benefits and dangers of taking or rejecting the vaccines.

She called for proactive approach on the part of the State Social Mobilization Committee towards changing the misconceptions and myths affecting effective vaccine uptake.