Abuja — The Natioal Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and its development partners have concluded arrangements for mass immunisation of under five children in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano State for the 1st round of the July Immunisation Plus Days (IPDs).

According to a press release signed by the agency's spokesman, Saadu Salahu dated July 2, 2008, the first phase of round one of the exercise takes effect from July 5-8, 2008, while the July 19-22, 2008 in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Niger and Gombe States.

The release quotes the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (NPHCDA) Mrs Titilola Koleoso-Adelekan, as saying that over one hundred and five thousand health workers, volunteers and monitors including members of the press will be participating in the IPDs.

According to her, safe and potent vaccines as well as all necessary logistics have been mobilised to the 12 states concerned.

The IPDs, Mrs Koleoso-adelekan emphasised is a multi antigen campaign to deal with poliomyelitis, measles, diphtheria, hepatitis B and yellow fever.

The executive director therefore appealed to all parents, guardians, care givers, health workers, religious and community leaders as well as political authorities at state and local government levels to support the federal government polio eradication initiative and ensure that no Nigerian child is denied his or her right to free immunisation services including two drops of OPV.

Nigeria is one of the four countries globally and the only one in Africa still harbouring the wild polio virus.