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MAKURDI: Benue State said, it has so far achieved about 137 percent for the Novels Oral Polio Vaccine (n OPV) zero dose coverage, in the ongoing vaccination campaign in the state, just as it has achieved 91 percent in the vaccination against Measles-Rubella (MR) in the state.

According to the Benue State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB), as at Saturday (25th October, 2025), about 2,472,118, children have been vaccinated against the MR, in the state, while 1,769,251 children have been vaccinated against the n OPV zero dose.

Recall that Benue State had earlier taken possession of about 2.7 million doses of Measles-Rubella vaccines and 1.4 million doses of Oral Polio vaccines, just as the state, said on the day of the flag-off that it targets to vaccinate about 2.6 million children across Benue.

A breakdown of the figures show that last Saturday, before last, when the exercise commenced, a total of 38,193 children were vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, and the tally moved to 536,660, on Sunday, last last week; 893,393, on Monday; 893,393, on Tuesday; before finally arriving at the aforementioned figure of over 2.1 million on Thursday.

The Executive Secretary (ES), BSPHCB, Grace Ashi Wende, who spoke with INDEPENDENT in Makurdi, noted that the figures represent vaccinations from Fixed, Temporary fixed, and Sweep teams Implementation across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

She said, “2,143,388, children have been vaccinated for the Measles-Rubella; 1,552,167, for n OPV zero dose; 6,669, 9-year-old girls have been vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. The number of children given PENTA 1, is 6,652, while the number of children given PENTA 3, stands at 6,377.

“Measles-Rubella coverage for the period is 79 percent and n OPV coverage is 120 percent “, the Executive Secretary stated.

She explained that the exercise was currently ongoing in about 1,110 Routine Immunization (RI), health facilities for the fixed and temporary fixed posts, cutting across the 23 LGAs of Benue state, even as the sweep teams continue implementation in all the LGAs.

Furthermore, Wende said, “The State Primary Health Care Board acknowledges the commitment of all stakeholders and partners toward achieving optimal MR vaccine coverage” and ensuring the protection of every child in Benue state.

However, INDEPENDENT gathered that during the immunization exercise in the state, two cases of motorcycle accidents were recorded.

Some of the Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFi) involved an accident with a team supervisor and a House-House mobilizer in Makurdi LGA, while the other was the case of a House-house mobilizer, who was bitten by a dog in Buruku LGA.

Some of the best practices deployed before the commencement of the exercise include refresher trainings for the vaccination teams. Also, Committees on Health, from each of the LGAs, supported by Chigari Foundation, and VMSTs were in the state to monitor and ensure proper vaccine utilization and accountability.

Furthermore, traditional leaders and other partners who were on ground showed commitment to the immunization campaign as five mobilization vans are currently doing demand creation in five LGAs of the state, among them, Makurdi, Gboko, Vandeikya, Katsina Ala and Otukpo LGAs of the state.

Wende, pointed out that even though there were challenges faced by the teams, including shortage of Chalk and MR tally sheets, she stated that the materials were immediately supplied immediately.

While she acknowledged the commitment, and financial support of the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, towards the success of the exercise, she said she was happy with the massive turnout for the exercise.

Some partners including International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) and Chigari Foundation were also on ground to monitor the exercise.