Dr Ray Nihar, an official of the World Health
Organisation (WHO) said in Kaduna on Thursday that Nigerians travelling abroad
would be compelled to take the oral polio vaccine by May 2013.
Nihar said at the monthly review meeting of traditional
rulers in Kaduna State involved in polio eradication campaign that WHO would
issue a standing recommendation to all nations under the International Health
Regulations.
He said children and adult travelling out of Afghanistan,
Nigeria and Pakistan must be certified as having been vaccinated against polio
“to reduce the substantial risk of the virus spreading to polio-free
countries”.
He said the report issued by the International Monitory
Board on Polio revealed that “too many communities” regard polio vaccination as
an imposition with no benefit. He said polio eradication was vital in affected
countries, adding that neighbouring countries would not be safe.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),
the Chairman, Kaduna State Action Committee on the Eradication of Polio, Alhaji
Mustapha Jumare said insecurity and inaccessibility to certain areas had
affected total coverage.
He also blamed vaccinators for laxity, thereby retarding
efforts at ending the disease.
Also, the Chief of Kagoro, Mr Afuwai Bonet urged
legislators to participate in the fight against polio in their respective
constituencies.
Bonet said compelling Nigerians travelling abroad to take
the vaccine would be an embarrassment to Nigeria including the legislators.
NAN
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