Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker and the Director General of Rotary International Ogun/Lagos District 9110, Ify Rita Ejezie have begged parents in the state to get their children vaccinated against polio, insisting that the vaccine is safe.
They spoke in Abeokuta at a Polio Walk for the Ogun State Axis in commemoration of 2023 World Polio Day, with this year’s theme, “A Healthier Future For Mother And Children.”
The Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state and the President of Rotary Club of Abeokuta District 9110, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye; Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Isiaka Wasiu; Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Jagunmolu Jamiu Akande; Zonal Coordinator Zone 12 District 9110, Dr Hassan Adelakun among others took part in the road walk.
While speaking with the newsmen, Coker assured the parents and guardians of the safety of the vaccine saying that they should disregard the speculations surrounding the vaccine.
“The Polio vaccine is safe, we have used it for many years and to the point that Nigeria was declared polio free 3 years ago. It does not stop our children from giving birth in the future because it does not affect fertility.
“I would like to encourage the parents to bring their children out from the age of 0-5 years old to get the immunization to avoid paralysis from polio and fibroid illnesses and save their life. These vaccinations are provided for free in the Primary Health Centres all around us across the 236 Wards of Ogun State,” Coker said.
On her part, Ejezie also narrated the achievements recorded by the members of Rotary globally and the areas they have been helpful to the government.
Adeleye tasked the members of the organization not to relent in their efforts in making sure the Polio is completely eradicated in Nigeria.