Sokoto Dep.Gov. administers oral polio vaccine on self to prove its safety

By Bashir Rabe Mani

Wamakko(Sokoto State) – Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, on Monday administered the Oral Polio Vaccine( OPV) on himself to prove its safety and efficacy.

The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN)reports that Aliyu administered the vaccine at Badon-Barade village, Wamakko Local GovernmentArea.

It was during a community dialogue to resolve some few cases of the rejection of the vaccine by some parents.

He said:” This is to show the people of the state that the vaccine is efficacious and safe.

” The state government had conducted series of examinations and tests to show that the OPV is safe.

” That was why I administered it  myself and I am hereby calling on parents in the state to allow their children to be immunized against polio and other child killer diseases.

” This is the only way to protect them from the wild polio virus and other killer diseases.”

The deputy governor said the inability of some vaccination officials to relate well with the parents was partly responsible for the rejection of the vaccine.

Aliyu therefore directed the state Ministry of Health to organise a seminar to educate the officials on human relations.