On Friday, May 2, 2025, the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, hosted a Flag-off ceremony for the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign at Eyaen Primary Healthcare Centre in Benin City.
This campaign aims to protect children under five from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
The event was officially flagged off by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Edo State Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole who emphasized the State’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare. In his words, “Under the Leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, we will continue to strengthen immunization activities as a key strategy to reducing infant deaths. That is why we have gathered here today to flag off the NIPD vaccination exercise to help prevent the spread of the circulating variant poliovirus and maintain the zero status of polio in Edo State.”
Following this, the Functional Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Mr. Sunday Osayande during his welcome address, announced that the vaccination campaign would run from Saturday, May 3, to Thursday, May 8, 2025. He explained that health workers would conduct house-to-house visits to administer two drops of oral polio vaccine and vitamin A supplements to children under five.
Additionally, he stressed that vaccination teams would visit churches, mosques, schools, markets, motor parks, recreational centres, crèches, shopping malls, and other strategic locations where young children can be found. Mr. Osayande ended by urging all stakeholders to support the campaign to ensure its success.
The State Coordinator, World Health Organization, Mrs. Nora Eyo highlighted that the importance of childhood immunization cannot be over-emphasized and it is crucial to the survival of children and for prevention against vaccine-preventable diseases. This is why the World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to supporting Edo State in its efforts to immunize children to protect them from childhood diseases.
The flag-off ceremony was well attended by various dignitaries, including Directors and Heads of Units from EDSPHCDA, Medical Officer of Health Uhunmwonde LGA, Local Health Authority Uhunmwhonde LGA, Members of the Local Government Council, Community and Religious leaders, Civil Societies, Representative of some MDAs, Partners, and other key stakeholders.
