Taraba churches partner health officials for mass vaccination drive

Christian clerics across Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Sunday opened their church premises to health officials conducting a mass vaccination exercise against measles-rubella, polio, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

The campaign targeted children between 9 months and 14 years for the measles-rubella vaccine, children aged 0 to 59 months for polio, and girls aged 9 years for the HPV vaccine.

Several clerics who bared their minds with our reporter in the state, applauded the state health authorities for bringing the campaign to worship centers, describing it as a strategic move to protect children from life-threatening but preventable diseases.

“This is a welcome development. It will help prevent our children from dying from illnesses that can easily be avoided,” one of the clerics told DAILY POST.

Addressing concerns over the HPV vaccine, they urged parents to disregard misinformation and emphasized that the vaccine is crucial in preventing cervical cancer among women.

Health officials expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting that the exercise had recorded no major challenges since its commencement.

The statewide vaccination campaign is scheduled to run for ten days and will cover all 16 local government councils in Taraba State, including the two Special Development Areas.

Taraba churches partner health officials for mass vaccination drive