EDSPHCDA In Partnership With M-RITE Holds Media Engagement On COVID-19 Vaccination










EDSPHCDA In Partnership With M-RITE Holds Media Engagement On COVID-19 Vaccination

Wisdom Agbonta



The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) in partnership with Momentum Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE), has held a two-day engagement with the media in the State to heighten awareness regarding the significance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

The two-day sessions was held in the conference room of the Edo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), drawing journalists from various media organisations in Benin City, Edo state.

Given his  remark, the Director of the Department of Community and Family Health Services of EDSPHCDA, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, emphasized that the COVID-19 virus is highly prevalent, which according to him, underscored his Agency's dedication to ensuring public health resilience in the State. He highlighted the crucial roles of journalists in collaborating with the Agency to promote awareness regarding the significance of widespread vaccination.

Dr. Osayomore stated that the effectiveness of the primary health sector's efforts hinges on public awareness, emphasizing that if the community remains uninformed, it signifies lack of meaningful enlightenment on the part of the health care service providers.

In addressing prevailing misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly concerns regarding its perceived danger to human health and the applicability only within specific age brackets, Dr. Osayomore stated, “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and very effective. The Vaccine is given to 16 years old and above and not to children.”

The State Health Educator, EDSPHCDA, Mrs. Irene Uabor, spoke on the risk perception and communication as it relates to COVID-19, decrying how some persons have spread unfounded rumours about the virus. She dismissed such frivolous claims and described them as baseless and misleading.  

Speaking on the COVID-19 vaccination update by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Esther Ajayi, who gave a cumulative summary of the COVID-19 vaccinations as at 19th November 2023, as insight on the total eligible population targeted for COVID-19 vaccination in the following categories: total eligible population given first dose; total eligible population given second dose; total eligible population partially vaccinated; total eligible population so far vaccinated with booster dose (1st and 2nd); total eligible population given J & J full dose; and total eligible population fully vaccinated. 

Mrs. Ajayi submitted that the proportion of eligible population partially vaccinated against COVID-19 is 1.4% while, the proportion of eligible population fully vaccinated is 58.1%. She stressed the significance of journalists leveraging social media to disseminate accurate information and to counteract rumors.

The State Lead of M-RITE, Mrs. Maureen Anyanwu in her remarks, noted that they work with the EDSPHCDA to strengthen routine immunization and other primary health care initiatives in the State. She stated “The media have to correct the misinformation out there, to help us drive the number from 58.1%, where we currently are, to 70% so that the risk of COVID-19 will be greatly reduced.”

Highpoint of the sessions was the address by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, where he emphasized that the significance of the gathering was to remind journalists that COVID-19 has not disappeared but has merely diminished. He underscored the importance of raising awareness among the public and admonished on the need for journalists to take measures to boost their own immunity against the virus.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bishop Of Auchi, Dunia Blames Edo Police For Death Of Seminarian

Image
Bishop Of Auchi, Dunia Blames Edo Police For Death Of Seminarian  By Editor  The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia has described as false a report which quoted him as blaming Edo State Government for not doing enough to effect the release of the abducted priest, Rev. Philip Ekweli and a seminarian, Andrew Peter, 21, who was reportedly murdered. The priest was released at about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, close to Amughe village, a few kilometres from Okpekpe town, North Ibie in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, ending ten days of captivity in the hands of his abductors. He is now receiving appropriate medical attention. Speaking on his mobile phone from his base in Auchi, Bishop Dunia said that the state government did it very best in handling the crisis situation but however had harsh words for men of the Edo State Police Command, who he accused of bungling the rescue efforts. He said: "I never criticized Edo State ...
Read more

Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements

Image
Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Neda Imasuen has appealed to farmers not to sell their farm tools and implements given to them, but make good use of it to enable them sustained their families, and the nation at large. The federal lawmaker said the essence of the event in his own little way is to reduce the price of food in the market by empowering his constituents of being farmers and producers more food. He appealed to the farmers to pay proper attention to the various speakers at the programme and ensure they make good use of the knowledge they acquire during the training. Senator Neda Imasuen gave the advice at a training organised for his constituent members in Benin city, Edo state warned the farmers not to sell the farm implements and tools ensure they make good use of the opportunity. " This items we are giving you, some ...
Read more

Disobedience: Edo Dukes Appeal To Oba Of Benin For Forgiveness

Image
Disobedience: Edo Dukes Appeal To  Oba Of Benin For Forgiveness ... Denies Swearing An Oath Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Wonder they say shall never cease, as ome of the disobedience Enigie who were suspended recently by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II for alleged rebellion, have appealed him for forgiveness in whatever ways they may have offended him. The dukes also denied swearing to an oath not to pay allegiance to the throne. The embattled dukes made the denial during a press conference in Benin city, Edo state. Speaking for the dukes, Ogiugo Victor Etinosa, the Enogie of Ugo N'Iyekikpoba, said that they were very sorry for whatever error they must have committed adding that, they are the Oba's subjects and he should treat them as his children. "We, the undersigned Enigie wholeheartedly write to your Majesty to deny with great trepidation that we are innocent of all the allegation of misconduct against us.  "Your Majesty Sir, it is often said that, it will be ...
Read more