Tetanus: Over 1 Million Reproductive Age Women Immunised By WHO

In collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and other partners, the Borno State government has immunized over one million women of reproductive age against the deadly disease of tetanus recently.

The Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Lawi Mshelia disclosed this at a one-day orientation for media, traditional and religious leaders on maternal and neonatal tetanus in Maiduguri.

He described tetanus as a preventable disease, but Nigeria is yet to eliminate the burden because of low immunization coverage.

According to him, so far, the government in collaboration with other partners have successfully covered 94 percent during the first round.

Read Also: One Newborn Dies from Neonatal Tetanus every 15mins – UNICEF

The WHO State Coordinator, Borno State Field Office, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, disclosed they are working closely with the government to ensure the death rates resulting from the disease are reduced.

“We are working with the Borno state government, UNICEF and partners to ensure that women of childbearing age and the children targeted are adequately reached during this round of the campaign. This campaign is integrated with Measles, Routine Immunization and COVID-19 vaccination”

“WHO has been supporting the Borno state government to strengthen the Primary Health Care system. We are working to ensure people in Borno state including those in security-compromised LGAs have access to qualify life-saving services.”

The WHO State Coordinator used the opportunity to urge traditional and community leaders to encourage their people to come out and take advantage of the services as well as urging the women to avail themselves and their children of the opportunity to receive the vaccines.