Anambra Government Warns Health Officials Against Selling Rotavirus Vaccines, Insists ‘Drug is Free’

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State government has warned health officials in the state against selling the newly introduced rotavirus vaccines, insisting they were free of charge. 

Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (ANPHCDA), Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu gave the warning during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by the Agency in collaboration with State Ministry of Health and partners.

She said the vaccines, provided by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners were to be freely given at all health facilities in the state, warning that anyone caught making merchandise of them would be severely punished.

She said, “We don’t want to hear that any local government collected one naira for that will be another national scandal. Nobody should pay a dime to get the vaccine. If you’re forced to do so, please call this number: 08064036537.

“We’re still battling with COVID-19 vaccination rumours that one or two local government areas were collecting money and they all denied it. Let it not repeat itself in this exercise.”

According to Ezenyimulu, the vaccine was being introduced for the first time into the national program for immunization, with November 29 slated as the campaign flag off date in the State.

She urged the media, Civil Society Organizations, traditional and religious leaders, social mobilization officers, health educators in the 21 council areas of the State to take ownership of the project by giving it the wide publicity it deserved.

The UNICEF consultant, Mac-Fisi Kenneth said the body is collaborating with the state to ensure children were not only protected from the preventable diseases, but that those diseases were eliminated from the state.

“As an organization interested in children, we’re partnering with Anambra State government to provide technical support and proper storage of the vaccines to ensure they’re well secured.

“We’re targeting children below two years, the vaccine is in three dozes with four weeks interval. The first entry will be 6weeks, 10weeks and 14weeks respectively,” he said.

A civil rights activist, Prince Chris Azor described the initiative as a booster for the state, calling on other stakeholders to ensure its adequate publicity, just as he urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the free vaccine to ensure their children were vaccinated.

On her part, State Health Educator, Uju Onwuegbuzina called for personal and environmental hygiene, good nutrition including exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a child’s life, handwashing with soap and water, to stay safe from the virus.