The Gombe State  chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in partnership with Rotary International has flagged off vaccination campaigns against polio virus, to curb further spread of the disease in the state.

The vaccination campaign exercise kicked off simultaneously on Friday across the 11 local government areas of the state, to mark World Polio Day, which is marked annually on October 24.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony held in Bajoga, headquarters of Funakaye LGA, Chairman of the local council, Shuaibu Abdulrahman Adam, urged parents and guardians to allow their children to be vaccinated against polio during the exercise, to protect them against the disease.

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He said to ensure that every child is vaccinated against measles and polio, the leadership of the LGA will provide support to the health workers to ensure children and the unborn generation are protected.

The chairman commended Rotary International, World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Gombe State Government and other partners for their interventions in healthcare delivery services in the state.

“The vaccines are safe and effective against the two diseases. Parents and guardians, especially those living in the rural areas, should also give support to the health workers to ensure the success of the exercise. People should enlighten each other to ensure that the vaccination succeeds in our communities,” he said.

Representative of WHO, Mr Mu’ayiwa Usman, said the event is in commemoration of World Polio Day, towards the eradication of polio globally.

He commended Rotary International, Fukakaye local council, for supporting the effort of the WHO towards eradicating polio, which resulted in 96 per cent coverage during the last vaccination exercise.

He said the state is recording success in the first against the polio, “we are in the last lap of the vaccination disease, therefore all and sundry should support this vaccination exercise to ensure that the polio is eradicated completely in the state and across the globe.”

On his part, the Emir of Funakaye, Alhaji Yakubu Muhammad Kwairanga, called on his people to allow their children to be vaccinated.

He directed districts, villages and ward heads in the emirate to ensure their subjects allow their children to receive the polio vaccines from the healthcare workers.

The emir also urged for more support from parents, guardians, and partners to ensure the current exercise succeeds.

Emir Yakubu Kwairanga called on the health officials to report any parents or community that refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated.

He also pledged to lead a team to enforce the exercise across the Funakaye LGA and the emirate, to ensure every child is vaccinated.