…Turn Out En masse For Vaccination, Gov Diri Tells Bayelsans
Bayelsa State Government has appealed to the people of the state to make themselves available for the ongoing oral cholera vaccination (OCV) as a preventive measure against the communicable disease.
Governor Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the appeal at the weekend during the flag-off of cholera vaccination campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor who said the vaccines were safe to boost their immune systems, expressed gratitude to the WHO for its collaborative efforts with the state government in addressing health issues in the state.
According to him, it was as a result of the proactive measures and prompt response by the state government and all stakeholders in the health sector that the impact of outbreak of epidemics in the 6 states in the South-South zone was not felt in Bayelsa State.
The state’s helmsman also directed the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai to create the necessary awareness about the need for the cholera vaccination as part of efforts to promote healthy living.
His words: “l encourage Bayelsans and residents to go out en masse to get vaccinated with the Oral Cholera Vaccine because it is safe and has zero side effects.
“I commend Hon. Moses Marlon, member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 3, and his colleague, Hon Bonnie Ayah, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 1, who have demonstrated leadership by taking the vaccine.
“We urge local government council chairmen to also go to their headquarters to take the vaccine to show that the vaccine is safe. If you take this vaccine, for 3 years, you will not have cholera.
“Our health system is so resilient, robust and proactive that despite those episodes of the six layers of epidemics we had in the state, no life was lost in our state. But unfortunately, in other states, lives were lost.
“And so, we want to thank WHO, one of our partners, who have been supporting our health system. We are happy that WHO has continued to partner us in every inch of our response to any epidemic.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, expressed government’s commitment to strengthen public health emergency response systems in the state.
Prof. Brisibe said the WHO has released 7,000 doses of the cholera vaccine to cover Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Areas to kick-start the vaccination in the state.
He stressed the need to increase the uptake, noting that the state has not recorded any side effects from all the vaccinations including the cholera and the ongoing malaria vaccination exercise.
The health Commissioner also applauded the Governor Diri-led administration for its intervention through periodic medical outreaches to save lives across communities in the state.
Also, the State Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr Marcus Oluwadare, described the state’s response to health emergency situations in the state as very impressive.
Dr. Oluwadare revealed that Bayelsa is the first state in the country to receive the Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV), which he said is safe for children above one year of age.
Highpoint of the flag-off ceremony was the administration of the oral vaccine on the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw constituency Three, Hon Moses Marlon, his constituency One colleague, Hon. Bonny Ayah, Information Commissioner, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and other top government functionaries.
Signed
Mr Doubara Atasi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor
Bayelsa State
21/03/25
