By Chinonso Alozie

Owerri –The United Nations Children’s Fund ,UNICEF, has moved its free immunization to 16 council Areas of Imo state.

The state’s Immunization Officer, Dr Chibuzor Okoroama, made this known to newsmen in Owerri, while speaking on the recorded achievements of the UNICEF’s catch-up Immunization campaign.

Among the council areas visited were Ngor-Okpala, Njaba, Owerri North and Mbaitoli.

Other areas mentioned include; Ezinihitte Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ideato South, Orsu, Oru East, Nkwerre and Ohaji-Egbema, Aboh Mbaise, Ideato North, Isu.

According to Okorocha, “16 council areas covered in the program represent the 65 per cent expected coverage, as directed by UNICEF.”

Adding that; “”Immunization is the easiest and fastest means to protect children from deadly diseases and urged parents to ensue prompt immunization of their children.” Noting that; “In the course of immunization, the team located zero dose children and under-immunized children, as well as children who had never been vaccinated.”

She insisted that; “vaccines are expensive, hence the need for parents to take advantage of the free immunization provided by UNICEF to scale up their children’s immunity to diseases.

She however expressed satisfaction that despite operational challenges, the campaign was largely successful.

“We conducted micro plan and implementation training at the state, LGA, and ward levels, which began on Dec. 10,2024 immediately after we received fund for the project on Dec. 9,2024.

“We also used the Open Data Kit for direct transmission of information about supervision and we are glad to confirm that with all the results put together, we are able to achieve the expected 65 per cent coverage,” Okoroama said.

She thanked the local vigilante groups in the rural communities and the security agencies in the state for their support in providing security for the public health officers, especially in troubled areas.

She also thanked the UNICEF for the program and pledged the state government’s commitment to basic healthcare provision for Imo residents.

One of the residents from Njaba, Mrs Roseline Iwu, was of the view that; “This UNiCEF, has done good for us. We are happy. Because this will protect our children from child related diseases.”

Also, Mrs Juliet Amah, from Ngor Okpala council Area , expressed joy that the catch up immunization was urgently needed to safe their children.

While Mrs Helene Ihueze, pleaded with the UNICEF, to continue the health program to assist their women protect their children against diseases.