By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Executive Director; Dr Faisal Shuaib has dispelled rumours that the Federal Government has stopped giving free immunization to Nigerian children.
Shuaibu said that immunization in Nigeria still remains free and safe.
He made this assertion Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting some management staff of the Agency.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Sa’adu Salahu, Head, Public Relations, NPHCDA and made available to Nigerian Pilot after the meeting.
According to the statement, Dr. Shuaib had described as false, the information trending in some social media platforms that the Federal Government had stopped free immunization for the Nigerian children.
He also dismissed some of the very misleading video and audio clips on social media insinuating that vaccines are harmful.
He assured members of the public and parents in particular that Nigeria has adequate vaccines for immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing that immunization of all antigens in the national immunization schedule remain free of charge to all parents and members of the public.
Sa’adu emphazied benefits of immunization which includes saving the lives of children and women of child bearing age and strengthening population immunity against vaccine preventable diseases.
He further stated that vaccines and health commodities used by the Agency for all public health programmes are pre-qualified by the World Health Organization, WHO, and certified safe for use by National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
He enjoined Nigerians to continue to support Government at all levels and make their children and wards available for immunization at Primary Health Care facilities nearest to them.
Further he urged all Nigerians to disregard the audio and the video clips and any publication that suggests anything less than safety, protection of life and strengthening of population immunity with immunization exercise and activities.
He also advised people desist from playing politics with lives, safety and growth of Nigerian Children, adding NPHCDA undertakes its mandate of making Nigerian citizens healthy with utmost sense of integrity and moral responsibility.
He expressed gratitude and appreciation of Government at all levels and the people of Nigeria to all the Development Partners and Donor Agencies for their huge investment in immunization towards the growth, and wellbeing of Nigerians and pledged the continued determination and commitment of the Federal Government to work closely with religious and traditional leaders, development partners, donor agencies and the civil society organizations.
Dr. Shuaib charged health care providers not to charge the public for immunization services as the vaccines are provided free and requested the public to direct any inquiries on immunization and PHC to the following Toll-Free numbers; 08031230415, 08031230416.
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