The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to combat the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and preventable childhood diseases, ensuring the overall well-being of its residents .
This commitment was reiterated by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, at a media advocacy dialogue in Ikere Ekiti.
In anticipation of the upcoming HPV vaccination round for girls aged 9-14 and routine immunization for children, commencing today, UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, emphasized the importance of promoting public awareness.
According to her, the vaccination campaign will include Routine Immunization Vaccination for children from 0-2 years, Measles Vaccine for children from 9 months to 5 years and HPV Vaccine_ for girls from 9-14 years.
“We will be giving our regular routine immunisation vaccination, which is for children from 0-2 years; we will be giving the measles vaccine which is for nine months to five years and the HPV vaccine for girls from nine years to 14 years.”, Akinola-Akinwole explained.
Akinola-Akinwole stressed that vaccines are safe, free, and effective, and that allowing children to receive vaccinations against preventable diseases is a wise decision for parents to make. She also highlighted the significance of promoting public awareness to increase vaccine trust and uptake.
“Vaccines are safe, free and effective. Allowing our children get vaccinated against vaccine-preventable childhood diseases is a wise decision that every parent should make for his or her child.”, she said.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to educate communities about the benefits of vaccination. Community mobilizers, like Shamsiyya Abdullahi Jariri in Katsina, Nigeria, have been working tirelessly to combat misinformation and promote vaccination awareness.
Their efforts have contributed to Nigeria’s remarkable achievement of vaccinating over 12 million girls against HPV.
The Ekiti State Government’s renewed commitment to partnering with UNICEF demonstrates its dedication to protecting the health and well-being of its residents, particularly children and women.
