Timothy Omobude 
The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has said, six local government areas out of the 18 LGAs have been earmarked for vaccination against the outbreak of Monkey Pox also known as Mpox in the state.
The Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Impact Plus Project Immunization Specialist in Edo State, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomon, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting in Benin.
He said the targeted local government areas include Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia North East, Esan North East, Oredo and Esan West.
Dr. Efeomon said in the six targeted local government areas, not everyone would be vaccinated as the exercise would be carried out based on the information already available to the agency.
“We had this meeting today with stakeholders in Edo State to create awareness about the Mpox vaccination campaign which will be happening in Edo State shortly.
“This is a targeted campaign to help reduce the incidence of Mpox previously known as Monkey Pox in Edo State among healthcare workers and those who are immuno compromised. So those are the targeted groups that we are looking at.
“Healthcare workers and those who are immuno compromised will be receiving two doses of this vaccine to be fully vaccinated and be protected against the Mpox.
“Edo State is one of the states where we had an outbreak of Mpox in the country and that is why this vaccination is currently ongoing with support from the federal government, WHO, UNICEF, and the state government.
“So, the agency is going to be carrying out this vaccination in six targeted LGAs where these cases have been reported.
“And the vaccination, like I said, is going to be targeted. It’s not for everybody. It’s for those above 18 years And it will be for healthcare workers and those who are immuno compromised.
“So we are reaching out to various groups and unions and we’re using a list line to ensure that those who are at risk of these Mpox get vaccinated and are protected”, Dr. Efeomon said.
While noting that the state is currently being hit with five outbreak of diseases namely Dengue fever, Lassa fever, Yellow fever, Mpox and Diphtheria, said residents of the state need to increase the correct practice of protecting their food and their homes from the vector rats that carry these Lassa fever and ensure that they don’t destroy vegetation around their homes and destroy the habitats of these rats that will now be seeking refuge in their homes and transmit this disease.
Speaking also, the World Health Organization state coordinator, Dr. Eyo Nora said the vaccine is safe and it is meant for the already targeted areas.
For the representative of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Edo State, Mr. Muktar Abdullahi, said the agency has carried out their due diligence and that the vaccines are safe.
It is said that a total of 2, 500 doses of vaccines are expected to be distributed to the six targeted local government areas of the state.
