Traditional rulers in Anambra state, are leading the way on COVID-19 mass vaccination awareness campaign in the state, as Igwe Ralph Ekpeh of Enugu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area and others took turns to get their COVID-19 Vaccine Booster doses.
According to the report by Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS), the Traditional rulers of Anambra state were administered with their booster shots on Tuesday 14th December 2021.
Okeichie Emmanuel Okoye, the wife of the Traditional ruler, Lolo Dorathy and a septuagenarian, Ezinne Gloria Ukamaka Nworah, were among others that were vaccinated during the exercise, which took place at Igwe’s palace Enugwu-Ukwu, and was witnessed by ABS UNICEF Desk Officer, Mrs Franka Mmaduike, the report added.
Addressing his subjects and the entire Ndi-Anambra after receiving the dose, Igwe Ekpeh called for increased and sustained efforts at increasing awareness and dispelling misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the rate at which the new Omicron variant is spreading among the human population, resulting in travel bans, has made it imperative for all to vaccinate against the pandemic.
He noted that similar vaccines in the past had helped contain the spread of other pandemics, and commended Governor Willie Obiano for his untiring efforts at ensuring the health of Ndi-Anambra and residents of the State, urging people to reciprocate Government gestures by going for the vaccine and observing COVID-19 protocols in the interest of the public health.
Contributing, wife of the Traditional ruler, Lady Dorathy and the septuagenarian, Ezinne Gloria said they have had no health issues after receiving initial doses, calling on all to heed to a government call for mass vaccination against COVID-19.
Director, Njikoka Local Government Health Authority, Dr Ikechukwu Obi-udu, who led the medical team for the exercise, highlighted the benefits of such vaccines and commended Igwe Ekpeh, as well as the media for mobilising his subjects and Ndi-Anambra for the vaccination.
The move by the Traditional rulers of Anambra State is coming a few days after Governor Obiano flagged off the COVID-19 mass vaccination exercise in the state, which kickstarted on Tuesday, December 7th 2021, and will end on January 5, 2022, in all the apex primary health care centres across all the 326 wards in the State and selected private health facilities and other public spaces.
Governor Willie Obiano while flagging off the COVID-19 mass vaccination exercise at Anambra State Immunization Cold Store at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, restated the resolve of the State Government to meet the global target of reaching seventy percent of the population by the end of June, 2022.
Specifically, Governor Obiano who was represented by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Vincent Okpala said the State targets to inoculate at least fifty percent of the population of Ndị Anambra by the end of January 2022.
He said this is very important at this time especially if the success already made in keeping the virus at alms length in the state will be sustained as he urged Ndi Anambra to ensure they receive their vaccination as it is the only assured protection against the disease.