*"Cross River State Flags Off First Round Outbreak Response On Poliomyelitis (OBR1) With Over 887,000 Children As Target"*

The Cross River State Commissioner for Health Dr. Betta Edu has officially Flagged Off the 1st Round Outbreak Response on Poliomyelitis vaccination Exercise alongside the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Janet Ekpenyong. The exercise which took place at the PCN Primary School Big Quo Town is to help protect children from Polio Virus Type 2 as over 300 cases have been recorded across Nigeria with none in CRS. Polio Vaccine Type 1&3 had already been administered as Polio Virus Type 2 is beginning to show up again in neighboring states.

Speaking during the Flagging Off Exercise, the Health Commissioner called on Mothers to ensure they get their children vaccinated. "Every day in CRS we try to prevent disease outbreaks just like we did during the outbreak of Covid-19, we started an early prevention campaign and this is what Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade has been emphasizing on; Disease Prevention. As a State, we don't have polio cases yet but we must not relent because one case in a Neighboring state can spread rapidly to our state Cross River and affect our Children. Our neighboring States already have one or two cases which mean we're not safe and must ensure our Children under age 0-59months gets the Polio vaccine while we continue to do our best to prevent any outbreak.

"We've decided to carry out an integrated approach where Children get the Polio vaccination while their Mothers and fathers or caregivers who haven't received the Covid-19 vaccines are vaccinated. Our health workers have been equipped in teams to attend to both Adults and Children as this is not only limited to Polio and Covid-19 vaccines alone but every other immunization/vaccination process that the child needs to grow and live healthily. Let me charge all health workers on behalf of Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade that 100% success needs to be achieved in this exercise as our target is to reach out to over 887,000 Children aged 0-59 Months and their parents ."

The Commissioner stated that logistics for both Water and Land ways have been provided to ensure that the over 430 hard-to-reach areas in the State aren't left out as very soon Drones will begin flying to deliver vaccines across the State. She assured Cross Riverians that the vaccines are safe and free as no Child will be left out during the exercise. She commended the efforts of the Director-General Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, the entire Health Workers, Partners, Staff of the CRSMOH and the CRSPHCDA, the Head Teacher of PCN Primary School Big Quo Town Mrs. Phillip Kamgba as well as Mothers for making the exercise a success.

In her remarks, the DG of the CRSPHCDA Dr. Janet Ekpenyong appreciated God, the Governor, the Commissioner for Health, and the health workers for their efforts which have led to the State being remains Polio free stating that a lot of human and capital resources have been put in place to keep us safe. "No case of Polio Type 2 in CRS even though Nigeria has recorded over 300 cases in Recent times. The government is committed to ensuring that no child is left out as I'll appeal to parents to ensure their kids are vaccinated. We will be going to churches, Mosque markets places, and homes to vaccinate every eligible child and their parents under the new integrated vaccine policy.

Dr. Ekpenyong appreciated the efforts and leadership style of the Commissioner as she continues to take the lead in all health matters across the Country/State. She acknowledged the hard work and commitment of all Partners, health workers, mothers, and children reiterating the safety and potency of the vaccine.

Goodwill messages came from the representatives of W.H.O Dr. Binam Getachew, that of UNICEF Mr. Ephraim Chuckwu, the Head Teacher of PCN Primary School Big Quo Town Mrs. Philip Kamgba with an Overview of the exercise presented by the State Immunization Officer Mrs. Joy Chabo. Highlights of the event were the official flagging off exercise, Polio vaccination of children and Covid-19 Vaccination of Mothers by the Honorable Commissioner for Health and the DG CRSPHCDA as well as the distribution of toiletries to school Children and Mothers.