The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N3.5 billion for immunization against communicable diseases in the country.
This was disclosed by the Governors of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu, his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu and that of Edo State Godwin Obaseki in a press briefing after the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.
Ikpeazu said the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, briefed NEC and reiterated the commitment of the traditional institution to the eradication of polio.
He explained that NEC, which was satisfied with the Sultan’s presentation, urged state governments to honour their counterpart funding to achieve an appreciable impact.
Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole also briefed the council on health situation in the country. He debunked rumours that the military was vaccinating citizens with monkey pox virus.
“The rumour is unfounded; there is nothing like that. It was designed to create bad blood,” he said.
Obaseki said the council was briefed on preparations for measles vaccination ahead of the 2017/2018 dry season.
According to him, this is the period associated with outbreak of measles in the country.
The Edo State governor said vaccination against measles will hold in the North from October 26 to March 20, 2018.
According to him, 12 states of Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Osun, Sokoto and Zamfara had paid their counterpart funds, while 24 are yet to redeem their payment.
