The UNICEF has expressed concern over possibilities of Polio disease resurfacing in the country if adequate awareness on routine immunisation, especially for polio, is not sustained.
It stated that despite its Polio Free certification by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease can still resurface without routine immunisation, hence the need for the media to increase awareness for persons in the North-east to embrace routine immunisation.
Communication for Development (C4D) Specialist, UNICEF, Mrs Elizabeth Onitolo, made the call on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, in Yola, Adamawa, at the opening session of a three-day media dialogue.
The media dialogue was jointly organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB), Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
Onitolo said routine immunisation helps eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases ravaging the country.
“There is need for the media to do more awareness particularly for people in the North-east to guide against the coming back of polio and other likely disease into the country.
“No child must die of polio again in Nigeria; we sincerely plead with the media to help us out by creating awareness and sensitising the people on routine immunisation.
“This meeting is to improve the knowledge of key media practitioners on low routine immunisation coverage; it is also to strengthen alliance with the media.
“The meeting is for the media to support the national plan to strengthen immunisation on COVID-19 information, and provide the media with additional sources of information on COVID-19,” she said.
On COVID-19, Onitolo said majority of Nigerians were scared to get the COVID-19 vaccination as a result of misinformation on their part.
She also called on the media to help change the mindset of Nigerians on the deadly COVID-19, and get vaccinated.
According to her, the media must help to build confidence in the people to encourage them get vaccinated.
This, she said, must include reporting the importance and benefits of vaccination and immunisation.
(NAN)
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