Ekiti sets for immunisation as WHO warns against polio outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned Nigeria against laxity for being certified polio-free, saying the country should be vigilant to prevent sudden outbreaks of the killer disease.

A WHO expert and medical practitioner, Dr Eyitayo Emmanuel, gave the warning in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting to sensitise the public on the coming special polio immunisation exercise holding between November 13 and 16 for children below five years in the state.

• El-Rufai explains chief of staff’s removal, denies Sanusi’s involvement
• Obi Cubana spends second night in EFCC custody

The Immunisation Officer, Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs Chiristianah Ajimati, said the state government might henceforth order the arrest of parents who resist vaccines for their children under the Child’s Rights Law.

She urged religious leaders to join in the sensitisation of parents.

The Director, Disease Control, Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Nicholas Ojo, said though Nigeria had been certified polio-free, it still needed to be proactive because of suspected cases in some states.