By Suoyo EkuboÂ
The Rivers state government through the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) is set to introduce ROTA vaccine into the Expanded Programme on immunization schedule(EPI) along with 16 other states zoned for the Southern States cluster Launch of the vaccine.
ROTA vaccine is useful in the prevention of diarrheal disease caused by the Rotavirus.
Rotavirus remains the commonest cause of diarrheal disease which leads to dehydration and in severe cases death in infants and young children, with children under 2 being the most vulnerable.
Rotavirus is highly contagious, spread from faeco-oral route and characterized by drooling, vomiting, fever, abdominal pains and dehydration. It cannot be treated using antibiotics, and rehydration using oral rehydration therapy(ORT) and zinc supplementation remains the mainstay of treatment.
To prevent severe illness and death caused by Rotavirus EVERY infant need to be vaccinated with 3 doses of the ROTA vaccine from age 6weeks at an interval window of every 4 weeks.
The state is set to roll out the launch of the vaccine from the 21st of November 2022. The vaccine will be available at all our primary health centers.
Mothers with children within the age range of 6weeks to 1yr are encouraged to bring their children to the health facilities to receive the necessary doses of the vaccine.
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