Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Abuja: The attention
of National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency (NPHCDA) has been
drawn to news report of sharp practices
of some health workers who are alleged
to be demanding payments and other
forms of financial incentives from
innocent members of the general public
before being vaccinated against
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).
The National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency, therefore, wishes to
put on record, emphatically, that
vaccination against cerebrospinal
meningitis, like other vaccination in the
National Immunization schedule is
provided free of charge for all members
of the public by the Federal Government
of Nigeria.
It should be borne in mind by all patriotic,
responsible and law-abiding citizens that
the Federal Government spends billions
of naira to procure, store, maintain and
distribute such vaccines to all parts of the
country including affected areas as the
need arises.
The public is therefore reminded once
again that vaccines for immunization
against all vaccine-preventable diseases in
the Nigerian National Immunization
schedule are provided free of charge by
the Federal Government and under no
circumstances must any health worker
charge members of the public to pay for
such free services.
Members of the public are advised to
report any health centre or health
workers charging people to pay for the
on-going meningitis vaccination in various
parts of the country to the nearest Law
Enforcement Agencies.
Vaccines’ preventable diseases covered
free-of-charge under the National
Immunization schedule are Bacillus
Calmette Guerin – (BCG), Poliomyelitis,
Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Pertussis and
Tetanus toxoid-(Pentavelent vaccines)
Haemophilus influenza type B,
Pneumococcal vaccines, Inactivated Polio
virus vaccines, Measles, Yellow Fever and
of course, Meningitis vaccines.
It will be recalled that sequel to outbreak
of meningitis in some parts of the
country, the Federal Government has
made available 500,000 doses of
meningitis vaccines while expecting
delivery of additional 823,000 doses
anytime from now to control the
meningitis outbreaks.
As a way of prevention, it is important to
avoid overcrowded spaces, sleep in well-
ventilated rooms, practice strict personal
hygiene and avoid close and prolonged
contacts with infected persons.
www.nta.ng/news/20170407-meningitis/#disqus_thread