13,502 polio vaccine doses rejected over rumour in Yobe

At least 13,502 doses of oral polio vaccine were rejected in Potiskum council area of Yobe after rumours of an “unusual injection” circulated in the state, the World Health Organiation has said. At least 77,000 children were vaccinated in five of the 10 wards of the council area in June. With rumours of the injections, […]

At least 13,502 doses of oral polio vaccine were rejected in Potiskum council area of Yobe after rumours of an “unusual injection” circulated in the state, the World Health Organiation has said.

At least 77,000 children were vaccinated in five of the 10 wards of the council area in June.

With rumours of the injections, vaccinators were only able to vaccinate 62,807 children.

“We lost 13,502 children,” said Gitza, WHO’s cluster consultant, at the flagoff of immunisation at the palace of the Emir of Fika, Muhammad Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa, Saturday, in Potiskum.

He praised the Emir for his quick intervention in dispelling the rumor and helping them to control rejection in the town.

On his part, the Emir, who is also the Chairman, Yobe Council of Chiefs,  said the rumor was fabricated by those who want to bring a setback for Yobe to maintain its years of polio free state in the Northeast.

He appealed to his people to totally disregard the rumor and embrace government immunization programme in order to safeguard the health of the children against all forms of viral infections.