THE Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) has revealed plans to launch the third round of its Big Catch Up (BCU) vaccination exercise on April 22.
Recall that the first and second BCU vaccination campaigns were held in December 2024 and February 2025 respectively, in nine Local Government Areas of the state that were considered to have performed below expectations on immunisation.
The nine LGAs included: Aguata, Ayamelum, Anaocha, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala, Orumba North, Orumba South and Nnewi South.
Mrs Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, made the announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday in Awka.
Uchem, who was represented by Dr Nnamdi Uliagbafusi, Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, said the vaccination would run from April 22 to April 27, at healthcare centres, community centres and other designated posts.
“The BCU campaign was designed to bridge the gap in immunisation coverage, particularly for zero dose children and children who may have missed their scheduled vaccinations.
“This is to strengthen routine immunisation which protects children from vaccine preventable diseases, ensure all eligible children are fully immunised and save lives,”she said.
Mrs Edith Onwuka, Immunisation Officer in the state, also said that Anambra had surpassed its target coverage of 65 per cent, effectively curbing outbreak of certain vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to her, the third round which marks end of the BCU campaign is important because children immunised in the first and second rounds will complete their schedule.
A representative of the World Health Organisation, Mr Ndubisi Oji, said the state recorded 96 per cent and 94 per cent coverage in the first and second rounds of the BCU, respectively.
He urged stakeholders to be collectively committed to achieving the desired target in the third BCU round.
In her remarks, Dr Uju Eze, Consultant with the United Nations Children’s Fund, called for more innovative ideas to aid successful mobilisation for the vaccination campaign in Anambra.
The state’s Health Educator, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children and wards were brought forward for immunisation, assuring that the vaccines remained safe and effective.
