Immunisation key to preventing childhood killer diseases: WHO

WHO says vaccination is imperative in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases in children.

Musa Mahdi, the Plateau coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), says vaccination is imperative in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases in children.

Mr Mahdi said this on Tuesday in Jos during the commencement of the African Vaccination Week.

The coordinator said that diseases such as smallpox were eradicated globally through vaccination.

He further noted that vaccination reduced the burden of many vaccine-preventable diseases.

He urged parents and guardians to ensure that their infants and toddlers were fully immunised to help build herd immunity and prevent diseases in children.

Raymond Juylit, the executive secretary of Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, encouraged parents and caregivers to always provide their infants and toddlers with immunisation.

Mr Juylit said, “Vaccination gives immunity against diseases and deaths that occur from such diseases.”

The health talks were given to mothers, and a sensitisation walk was held to commemorate the week.