The Ondo State Government has flagged of the introduction of the Pneumococal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) to combat the spread and occurrence of the pneumonia bacterial infection.
According to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, the disease which has been discovered to be highly resistant to treatment, kills over 800 thousand children all over the world.
Gathering at the premises of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for the flag off of the anti pneumonia vaccine were stakeholders including top government officials, health personnel and nursing mothers.
The introduction of the Pneumococal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), according to Dr. Adeyanju, would help to effectively fight pneumonia which has a strong resistance to treatment with drugs.
Having thrown more light on the vaccine, Dr. Adeyanju added that it would be made readily available in all health institutions across the state.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Mimiko, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, reminded the audience that the state had done a lot in reducing maternal and infant mortality.
He noted that these efforts have received many accolades from development partners which include two time award in Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Immunization in Nigeria.
The pneumonia bacterial disease affects mainly children under the age of 5 years and also adults 65 years and above.
The State Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, administered the oral vaccine on some of the kids present at the venue to flag off the vaccination.
