Plateau State Government in North-Central Nigeria says it is currently facing a shortage of about 250,000 doses of Diphtheria vaccines as it steps up efforts to contain the outbreak of the disease.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the government’s response to the outbreak.
Since the outbreak was recorded in August, 31 people have died, while 469 suspected cases have been reported across 10 local government areas. Three cases have so far been laboratory-confirmed.
Dr. Baamlong says the state government has activated several measures to contain the spread of the disease.
He says the state has vaccinated about 160,000 children in Jos North Local Government Area, which has recorded the highest number of suspected cases.
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The Commissioner however, says the vaccination campaign has been constrained by the shortage of vaccines, with available stocks now exhausted.
He also acknowledged the support of development partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
He says continued collaboration with these partners is critical to strengthening the state’s response to the outbreak.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
