In Taraba: WHO to vaccinate 800,000 children against Measles

Mrs Mary Bajani, The UNICEF Consultant on Measles, told newsmen during "Media Orientation Workshop'' in Jalingo, that 3,999 workers had been trained for the exercise.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Taraba State on Saturday announced plans to vaccinate no fewer than 760,128 children against measles in the state.

Mrs Mary Bajani, The UNICEF Consultant on Measles, told newsmen during "Media Orientation Workshop'' in Jalingo, that 3,999 workers had been trained for the exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise would hold between November 21 to November 25.

According to her, both temporary and permanent posts have been fixed at ward level to enable citizens identify locations for the exercise.

She said vaccine preventable disease had remained a major cause of under 5 morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.

``Measles burden reduction will significantly impact progress towards the attainment of the MDG4," she said.

Bajani said routine coverage remained sub-optimal in most local government areas, while the wards continued to record less than 80 per cent over the years.

``More emphasis must be laid to target children from 0 to 5 years, to curb the diseases,’’ she added.

An official of the state, Mr Philibus Daniel, said the workshop was organised to partner with the media in the fight against the child killer diseases.