In a significant move to halt the spread of cholera in Borno State, UNICEF has handed over more than 669,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine to the state government.
The handover ceremony, which took place at the State Cold Store near the BOSEPA office in Gidan Madara, marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to protect the population from this deadly disease.
Dr. Gerida Birukila, the UNICEF chief of the Maiduguri field office, highlighted the importance of the vaccine donation, stating that it brings the total number of doses provided to Borno State to nearly one million. She emphasized the positive impact of a previous donation of 300,000 doses in reducing the spread of cholera and reaffirmed the safety and availability of the vaccine for individuals over one year old.
Procured in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and key global partners such as Gavi, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others, the vaccines are a result of a coordinated effort to address the cholera outbreak in the region. UNICEF has taken responsibility for the security and logistics of transporting the vaccines to various locations across the country.
During the handover ceremony, Fati Ali, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, urged the public to take advantage of the vaccines to protect themselves against cholera.
With 451 suspected cases and 128 confirmed positive cases reported in Borno on Oct. 4, the need for preventive measures is urgent.
The donation of oral cholera vaccines by the Federal Ministry of Health, Global Partners, and UNICEF represents a critical intervention in the fight against cholera in Borno State, underscoring the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of this deadly disease.
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