Vaccines for treatment of diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus are now available in the country, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has said.
Dr Ado Mohammed, Executive Director of the agency said in Abuja that the disappearance of the vaccines followed a global shortage which affected the country.
“There is availability of DPT now in the country, in fact, states have been called to collect their allocation, and while some have picked theirs, others are yet to collect.
“I have just directed our logistician to remind the states once again to, as a matter of urgency, retrieve their vaccines”.
DPT refers to a class of combination vaccines against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus.
There were speculations that the vaccines disappeared following the Aug. 26 bombing of the UN Building in Abuja, where most of the vaccines were kept.
On the issue of vaccinators for polio vaccine, Mohammed stated that the agency would train and monitor vaccinators in 2012 for effective administration of vaccines.
Mohammed said that all the cold chain stores across the country would be strengthened for proper storage of polio vaccines.
“This is in keeping with the determination of the Federal Government to interrupt the transmission of the Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in 2013.
“In 2012, we will ensure that polio vaccine gets to every child and by so doing, we will train the vaccinators and monitor them for effective coverag”.
The Executive Director said the agency would soon meet with traditional and religious leaders as they play important role in the campaign in polio eradication.
“Engagement of traditional and religious leaders, the Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders will enable us to secure commitment for development of primary healthcare,” he added.
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