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Cross River Commences Administration Of Pentavalent Vaccine

The Cross River state government has introduced Pentavalent Vaccine in a bid to put a stop to preventable infant illnesses. The state ministry of health … Continue reading Cross River Commences Administration Of Pentavalent Vaccine


A child receiving vaccination against polio
A child receiving vaccination against polio

The Cross River state government has introduced Pentavalent Vaccine in a bid to put a stop to preventable infant illnesses.

The state ministry of health introduced the new vaccine known as, Pentavalent, a five-in-one vaccine, which is expected to reduce child mortality to its barest minimum.

The state governor, Liyel Imoke disclosed this at the primary health care centre, Ikot Ansa in Calabar Municipality at the maiden immunization of the vaccine on children in the state.

Pentavalent vaccine is a combination of five vaccines of Hib-DPT-Hepatitis B in one injection that protects against germs that causes five diseases in children.

Administering the vaccines on children whom their mothers brought out in large numbers, the governor enjoined health workers, nursing mothers, local government councils, donor partners, as well as traditional rulers to be apt in their roles in ensuring that this gesture is delivered effectively to every child in the state less than one year old.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Eyo-Ita assured of the ministry’s resolve to ensure consistent supply of the vaccine, in view of its importance.

The first phase of this exercise across the country commenced in May 2012 by introducing the vaccine in 13 states of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The second phase began in January this year, with a roll-over of the vaccine in seven additional states.

Cross River State falls under the third phase of beneficiaries and will be introduced in the remaining fifteen states.