The epidemiologist in the Gombe State ministry of health, Dr. Abubakar Joshua has said that some communities were still rejecting the polio vaccine, in spite of the aggressive awareness campaign by the authorities.
He disclosed that some communities had held to their belief that the vaccine would lead to infertility.
Joshua named Kuri, Zambuk, Dadinkowa and Doso towns in Yamaltu-Deba local government area as the places where the rate of rejection was high.
He however lauded the efforts of traditional rulers, whom he said had shown a lot of commitment in seeing to the success of the polio immunisation.
“In spite of the efforts of our traditional rulers, some communities are still reluctant to accept the polio vaccine.
“The belief that the vaccine could result in infertility is misplaced but some people are not convinced,’’ he said.
He called on local government authorities to intensify their awareness campaign efforts and advised that the campaign be made an all-year-round affair, instead of one embarked upon only during national immunisation days.
?