By AUGUSTA AGINA
GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceutical in collaboration with the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN), has initiated the Neighbourhood Vaccine scheme to create easy access to affordable vaccines.

Under the partnership, vaccines for prevention of diseases such as cervical cancer, chickenpox, Hepatitis B, typhoid fever, meningitis, measles mumps and rubella, and hepatitis A, will be available at several neighbourhood pharmacies and clinics across the country thereby making the drugs easier to be purchased.

Managing Director, GSK Pharmaceutical, Anglophone West Africa, Mr Lekan Asuni, said, the Community Pharmacy practice is a key success factor and essential component in the health of the nation, so deepening their skill base, in our view is a very worthy investment. According to him, accredited pharmacy stores are to serve as micro distribution points of these vaccines to unreached clinics in the first phase of the programme that has already been rolled out. The access points/pharmacies will also serve as centres for obtaining information on vaccines preventable diseases.

National President, ACPN, Dr Ejiro Foyibo, said vaccines prevent the spread of diseases to vulnerable people who are not or cannot be vaccinated and also beneficial for employers as they contribute to work productivity and lower costs of health care.

Foyibo added that ACPN in association with GSK will enlighten the public effectively so that people can identify with the accredited neighbourhood access points/pharmacies and clinics closest to them all over the country, involved in this programme.