The Edo State Government has urged community leaders, health workers, partners and key stakeholders to intensify efforts in raising awareness on the importance of the Second Phase Outbreak Response (OBR 2) to circulating variant polio virus type 2 (cVPV2) campaign.

The call was made by the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, during a press briefing ahead of the commencement of immunization in all 18 LGAs of the state.

According to him, “Polio, which causes severe weakness of the limbs, is responsible for some of the physical deformities observed in the society but it is preventable by polio vaccination.”

He said the vaccination will commence on Saturday the 21st to Tuesday 24th January, 2023 in all 18 LGAs of the state, describing poliomyelitis (polio) as a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5 and can be spread through food and water contaminated with faeces of an infected person.

The Executive Secretary said during the exercise, vaccinators will move from house to house to administer 2 drops of oral polio vaccine to children aged 0-59 months of age, noting that administration with the vaccine is not harmful, but will improve the wellbeing of the children.

He appealed to parents and caregivers to visit the nearest Primary Healthcare centre with their eligible children to be immunized.