A recent surge in Coronavirus cases has gripped Benue State, with the World Health Organization (WHO) confirming 25 new infections.
During a day-long engagement and orientation meeting on COVID-19 ramp-up in Makurdi, WHO’s Surveillance Officer for Benue State, Ogechukwu Chigbo, stressed the critical need for the public to promptly avail themselves of the available vaccines to protect against the persistent virus.
Chigbo cautioned attendees about the prevailing threat of the virus and emphasized the significance of dispelling negative rumours surrounding the vaccines, saying; “this is the period that we record outbreaks, and the reason why people are not succumbing to the virus is because of the vaccine.”
Addressing concerns about the vaccine hesitancy, Chigbo asserted: “People should come out and get vaccinated because those dying of COVID when the vaccine is available are committing suicide. On the part of WHO, we cannot allow people to die because they do not know that the vaccine is there to protect them as there is enough for everyone,” he stressed.
In response to the gravity of the situation in Benue State, she revealed, “This year alone, we have recorded 25 cases in Benue, though no fatalities. That is the reason why people must all come out and get vaccinated.”
In a strategic move, the global health organization has decided to integrate COVID-19 vaccination into its routine immunization exercise to further boost immunization rates in the state.
Chigbo explained, “We have been implementing a series of campaigns on COVID-19. We have had phases of it, and we have been experiencing some challenges. Since we are not able to reach at least 70 percent in Benue, it is better to have the vaccine integrated as part of the routing immunization.”
Encouraging individuals aged 18 and above to participate, she added, “Luckily, we have the Johnson vaccine, which is given just once, simplifying the vaccination process for the residents of Benue State.”
