The Kaduna State Primary Health Agency, North West Nigeria, has assured residents in the State that the vaccines for neonatal tetanus, measles and meningitis are safe and beneficial .
The assurance came, just as the Agency prepares to commence Immunization Campaigns against measles in October and meningitis in November 2019.
Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Hamza Abubakar who stated this at a news briefing in Kaduna , said the clarification was necessary so as to disabuse the minds, especially mothers with newborn babies that the tetanus vaccine had negative effects.
Dr. Abubakar then appealed to the media, civil society organizations, NGOs and traditional rulers to assist in enlightening the people not to be misinformed about the vaccines proven to be very safe.
The Executive Secretary who reiterated the commitment of the government to eliminating child and other diseases said the Immunization Campaigns would be taken to every nook and cranny of the State.
Dr Abubakar disclosed that following a Surveillance, it was discovered that 3 Local Government Areas, Jema ,Kachia and Kaura were identified a high risk of neonatal tetanus hence the need to create awareness , especially among mothers on the ongoing Maternal and Newborn Campaign.
The Executive Secretary stated that the measle outbreak recorded at a village in one of the Local Government Areas 3 months ago , was due to “some shortcomings” which he did not elaborate.