KADUNA- The Kaduna State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have intensified efforts to contain an outbreak of measles that has already claimed the lives of two children in the state.
“As you have observed for yourself, there is now a serious measles outbreak. Several children have never been immunised, and as a result, they are suffering from measles.
“In one family of nine, they have already lost two children and others are still sick. So, it is very important for the community to immunise their children,”she said.
Birukila lamented that under the backdrop of vaccine shortages, they were trying to find vaccines for measles.
“There is a shortage in the country, and it is really important that we secure predictable vaccination supplies for the children.
” We are facing many challenges, mainly parental refusal due to lack of belief in immunisation,”she lamented.
She, however, said through interventions by community, religious leaders and the government, the community has started accepting immunisation.
Birukila said that the government was also supporting other services like healthcare to ensure that the community was well supported.
She appealed to; parents, community, religious, traditional leaders, the government, and partners to encourage the uptake of immunisation in order to save lives.
She hoped that predictable funding for vaccination and immunisation would continue.
