Posted on: Fri 19-03-2021

A call has gone to media practitioners and other critical stakeholders in Taraba state to work tirelessly round the clocks to help in dispelling the many myths and misconceptions presently surrounding the newly introduced covid-19 vaccines.  

The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency ( TSPHCDA) , Alhaji Aminu Hassan Jauro, who made the call during a stakeholders sensitization and engagement meeting on Covid-19 vaccines which took place in Jalingo, the state capital urged the media to tread extra legitimate miles in using their various platforms in dispelling the many rumour currently threatening the acceptance of the vaccines.  

Jauro who also said that all is now set for the flag off of the covid-19 vaccination in the state, said the governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, has approved Monday , the 22nd of this month for the flag off of the exercise.  

Urging stakeholders not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring the success and acceptance of the exercise at local government councils, he said "let us forge a common front for the simple, and successful seamless roll out of the coronavirus vaccines that is going to commenced this Monday as approved by His Excellency the Executive governor of this state. "

It would be recalled that the state government on the 11th of this month took delivery of no fewer than 56,250 doses of the coronavirus vaccines, which our correspondent learnt are meant for front line workers .

The stakeholders meeting which heralded the presence of the leadership of the two major religions, media, traditional rulers, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) women groups to mention but just a few was observed to have been organized by the agency in collaboration with the UNICEF.  

While the media unanimously agreed to use their platforms to disabuse the minds of the people on the myths and misconceptions threatening the coronavirus vaccines, the religious leaders on their parts agreed to take advantage of their worship centers to disseminate positive information about the vaccines to their congregations.  

Also reiterating the determination of the traditional rulers to mobilize their subjects to accept the vaccines, the Galadima of Muri, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, who also doubles as the Social Mobilization chairman, said the traditional institution on it's part, would not go to bed pending when the vaccines is generally acceptable in the nooks and crannies of the state.  

The first phase of the vaccine which is scheduled to kick off next Monday, is said to have been designed for health workers and other front line workers, among which includes staff of the agency, security personnel among others.  

By Charles Akpeji  

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