Second Phase of MNTE Vaccination kick starts, Targets 29,000 Women in Adamawa Town.
From Umar Dankano,Yola.
The Adamawa state Primary Health Care Development Agency has vaccinated 27,000 women of child bearing age(15-49) against maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination(MNTE) in Numan local government area.
Executive Chairman of the Agency,Dr.Bashir Suleiman Saidu disclosed the development at a press conference ushering the second phase of the vaccination exercise stressing that MNTE has been among the life threatening consequences of unclean deliveries.
Represented by Mrs Rasheeda Tahir,Program manager of state Emergency Maternal and Child health Intervention centre (SEMCHIC),Dr.Saidu said officials of the Agency have been in Numan for the immunisation exercise since September and had covered 22% of the total population of the area.
In a further explanation on the development,Health Educator of the Agency,Lydia Adamu said the timely intervention has reduced fatality induced by Maternal Neotal Tetanus (MNT) calling on women in Numan and environs to avail themselves of the vaccination.
Adamu noted that the launching of the second phase of the exercise on Tuesday in Numan is targeting to cover another set of 29,000 women of child bearing age which would administered in doses .
She stated that those who have had their first dose can have their second round while those who haven’t got before can start theirs just to ensure their safety and that of their babies during delivery.
She advised women to make sure of administering three doses of the vaccine for prevention against MNTE with the fact that its eradication is not possible as tetanus spores are found in the soil globally.
According to her,between 10-20 percent of tetanus infections are fatal charging people especially women to embrace vaccination as a possible and surest way to safe pregnancy and delivery of healthy babies.
Adding his voice,Umar Abubakar Bahuli,State Immunisation Officer said the records from the Agency’s data base is indicating that the campaign against disease was a success with 101 percent coverage in Numan local government.
Bahuli enjoin women of child bearing age of 15-49 to strive and access five doses of the MTN vaccination for absolute protection for life commending the turn out of women in the area.
