SUNDAY, 24th October, 2021: The Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee has urged Nigerian parents to continue getting their children immunised against the polio virus.
This charge comes despite Nigeria being certified polio-free by the World Health Organisation in 2020.
Committee Chairman, Dr. Tunji Funsho gave this charge on Saturday in Abuja at a news conference to commemorate the World Polio Day, which is usually celebrated annually on October 24.
He advised that the inoculation of children against the disease should continue until the entire world is certified Wild Polio Virus-free.
He added that his committee had done a lot of work as regards polio in Nigeria, adding that the polio vaccine was safe to use.
He appealed to parents to make their children available for WPV vaccination.
He said, “The World Polio Day was set aside originally to commemorate the birthday of the scientist who discovered the first polio vaccine in 1955. However, the current oral polio vaccine was developed in 1960.
“Another major reason for organising and celebrating World Polio Day is to continue our advocacy effort in ensuring that we immunise every child below age five against the poliovirus and be protected against WPV."
Speaking further, the NNPPC chairman also called for more funding to ensure that the childhood disease is totally eradicated.
He said part of the initiative of his committee was to seek partnership with international organisations working on the eradication of polio.
He listed some members of the global polio eradication organisations to include the WHO, UNICEF and Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation.
He said NNPPC was working to ensure that the international bodies bring to the table what they have in stock.