By Agbonlahor Felicia
The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has embarked on a statewide COVID-19 vaccination program as part of the implementation of the SCALES 3.0 strategy.
The SCALES 3.0 program is aimed at accelerating integrated COVID-19 vaccination and other routine immunizations through the primary health care services.
To achieve this, the EDSPHCDA is taking the vaccination to people’s homes, workplaces and other public places to ensure easy access to the vaccines.
In addition, health educators across the various LGAs have commenced integrated advocacy and sensitization of Edo residents on the need to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of CoronaVirus disease in the State.
The State Health Education Officer, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Mrs. Irene Uabor, urged Health Education Officers in various local government areas to intensify the Integrated Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) activities for COVID-19 vaccination, Routine Immunization (RI) and other Primary Health Care (PHC) services.
While speaking with Health Education Officers (HEOs) at a forum, Mrs. Uabor discouraged partial vaccination and advised that the targeted population gets fully vaccinated by accessing first, second and booster doses for increased immunity against the virus.
She maintained that COVID 19 vaccines are safe, effective and free, adding that the public should be aware by now that millions of people have taken the vaccine.
She advised that more residents should access the vaccine as it is obvious that rumors about the vaccine are mere misconceptions.
Mrs. Uabor explained that SCALES 3.0 is an evidence-based update that fixes the bugs in SCALES 2.0 while sticking to best practices.
She added that the SCALES 3.0 strategy would address the identified implementation gaps in SCALES 2.0 and bring about more accountability for performance, strengthen electronic data reporting and promote robust demand generation at every level.
She called on eligible members of the public (18 years and above, with a waiver for those between 12 to 16 years of age, for international travels) to go out en masse to be vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of the deadly CoronaVirus.
