Imo leaves no stone unturned, takes  COVID-19 vaccination to the final mile 

Owerri, 9 November, 2022 – Sitting on a row of picket benches in entrance of a Major Well being Care (PHC) Ccntre, at Egbu village in Owerri North Native Authorities Space (LGA), of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria, was over  20 individuals ready to obtain doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 


 


On the queue was Nwaneri Christiana, a 32-year-old pupil, who waited patiently for her flip to obtain the primary shot of COVID-19 vaccination. 


 


Ms Nwaneri stated the uncertainty in regards to the facet impact of the COVID-19 vaccine had made her reluctant to obtain the photographs because it was rolled out in March, 2021. 


 


“I used to be hesitant due to some messages I learn on WhatsApp and different social media platforms, saying the vaccines had substances that would trigger hurt to at least one’s well being. It was after individuals round me took the vaccines and survived that I developed religion in it. 


 


I now know that the vaccine is protected. The truth that the vaccine is on the market in my locality inspired me to stroll into the well being centre to obtain it. I additionally mobilized  my pals to take it as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak will not be but over,” she stated. 


 


Implementation of the SCALES 3.0, launched by the Federal authorities, is geared toward integrating the COVID-19 vaccination with different well being servies at PHC stage. Moreover, with S.C.A.L.E.S,  authorities’ plans to develop  COVID-19 vaccination amongst  exhausting to succeed in populations in addition to  vaccinate at the least 70% of eligible Nigerians by December 31, 2022. The technique enabled  Ms Nwaneri to obtain the primary shot on the well being facility  in her village. 

SCALES is an acronym for Service supply, Communication, Accountability, Logistics, Digital administration of immunization information and supportive supervision.

Expanded companies


 


About 20 months after the rollout of the vaccination marketing campaign in opposition to the coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerian authorities has stated solely about 49 880 420 million eligible individuals have been totally vaccinated as at 01 November 2022.


 


To realize herd immunity in opposition to COVID-19, Nigeria deliberate to get 40% of its inhabitants vaccinated by the tip of 2021 and 70% vaccinated by the tip of 2022. 

That is primarily based on the recommendation from the World Health Organization ( WHO ).

In Imo  Dr Okeji Austine, the Director of Public Well being, Imo state Ministry of Well being stated , authorities in collaboration with companions together with WHO, is  deploying the SCALES 3.0 technique,  concentrating  rural space vaccination campaigns, to offer entry to all.


 


 


Commending the companions for supporting the marketing campaign, Dr Okeji stated the federal government is dedicated to making sure that each one individuals within the state are protected against COVID-19.


 


Nonetheless, whereas the federal government prioritized well being employees and susceptible individuals throughout the rollout of the vaccination, a 35 years-old well being employee in Owerri, Imo state, stated she solely just lately summoned the braveness to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.


 


Ms Patrick acquired her first dose in August 2022 and has since been encouraging individuals in her group in addition to  those that attend the well being centre the place she works, to obtain the vaccine.  

“Though the federal government gave assuring messages in regards to the security of the vaccine, I used to be nonetheless not sure. I knew my motion deterred many individuals from receiving the vaccine as a result of individuals requested me if I had acquired it. 


Additionally they needed to see the proof which was my vaccine card. And once I couldn’t present it, they declined the vaccination,t. Since I acquired my COVID-19 vaccine, I now encourage others by displaying them my COVID-19 vaccination card”, she stated. 

Leaving nobody behind

Because the graduation of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, the federal government, via Nigeria Major Well being Care Growth Company (NPHCDA), with assist from companions, together with WHO, carried out methods guaranteeing all eligible Nigerians have entry to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

A well being employee who has been working with the COVID-19 vaccination staff because the rollout in 2021, Mrs Onyeagba Goodness, stated individuals nonetheless prove each day to the well being centre to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mrs Onyeagba stated, “because the graduation of the SCALES 3.0 marketing campaign, the turnout has been encouraging due to the mixing of the Routine Immunization (RI), COVID-19 vaccination and different PHC companies”.  

“The mixing created the chance to vaccinate the aged and a few ladies who haven’t been vaccinated. Generally the husbands or members of the family who convey their kids for routine immunization  additionally reap the benefits of the technique to get vaccinated,” she stated.

Moreover, the WHO Nation Consultant, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo stated throughout the launch of S.C.A.L.E.S 3.0 in Abuja that  WHO has been supporting the federal government via the NPHCDA to scale up nationwide vaccination protection strengthen the nation’s well being techniques, and overcome the impression of the pandemic. 

Dr Mulombo stated it’s a well-known incontrovertible fact that, “ if we get vaccinated, we’re defending ourselves, our kids and our households.”


 


Earlier than the launch of the SCALE 3.0 technique, WHO supported authorities to construct  capability of 976 well being employees on SCALE 3.0 technique throughout the 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. 

Different WHO assist consists of, management and coordination of COVID-19 vaccination, real-time COVID-19 vaccination information administration, infodemic administration and proof technology to help demand technology, supportive supervision, fee of stipends to vaccination staff members, procurement of COVID-19 vaccination gadgets, Adversarial Occasion Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance.

Technical Contact

Wadzingi, Williams; E mail: wadzingiwil [at] who.int