The Borno State government has received a total of one million doses of cholera vaccines from UNICEF and its partners to vaccinate residents against cholera.
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Mallam, announced this while receiving 669,569 doses of the vaccines in Maiduguri.
Represented by Fati Ali, the State Director of Disease Control and Immunisation of the Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board, said the initiative is timely, considering the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases following the recent floods in the state.
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“UNICEF is one of the partners supporting and collaborating with the state 100 per cent. We have received 669,569 doses of cholera vaccines. Earlier, we received more than 300,000 doses of cholera vaccines. We urge everyone to go to the nearest hospital facilities to collect the vaccination,” she stated.
Dr. Gerida Birukila, UNICEF Chief of the Maiduguri field office, encouraged residents to accept the oral vaccines, assuring them of their safety and lack of side effects.
Dr Birukila highlighted that the new vaccines would be instrumental in reaching those at risk of contracting cholera, particularly people in crowded areas and children.