Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency has issued a call to action for community members to get involved in the upcoming Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs) for measles, scheduled to begin on October 19.
The campaign, which will run until October 27, aims to achieve 95% vaccination coverage for measles in the state.
Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, Executive Secretary of the agency, emphasized the importance of community support in ensuring a successful campaign. “When communities get involved in health programs, we see positive changes,” he said during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin.
The key objectives of the campaign, according to the state government, is the achieve 95% vaccination coverage for measles in Edo State, complement routine childhood immunization and reduce the burden of measles in Nigeria, which has one of the highest incidences globally.
The vaccination exercise will take place in various locations, including: schools, churches, mosques and various homes in different communities.
Nora Eyo, Edo Coordinator for the World Health Organization, highlighted the significance of the program, stating that cases of measles have been recorded in some local government areas, and this campaign aims to protect Edo’s children.
Kenneth Mac-fisi, Social and Behavioural Change consultant for UNICEF in Edo, urged all stakeholders to collaborate and ensure the uptake of vaccines, emphasizing the need for every Local Government Area to take ownership of the campaign.
Ondo Embarks on Massive Measles Vaccination Campaign
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has kicked off the 2024 integrated measles vaccination campaign in Ondo State, targeting over 924,119 children aged 9-59 months. The campaign, which started on October 12, aims to achieve 100% coverage, surpassing the 93% recorded in the last measles campaign held in December 2022.
Represented by Commissioner for Health Dr. Banji Ajaka, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the importance of vaccination in protecting children from measles and other childhood diseases.
He encouraged mothers and caregivers to present their children for vaccination, stressing that unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children pose a significant threat to already immunized babies.
Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHCDA) and frontline health workers for their proactive efforts in immunization programs.
He also announced increased investment in the health sector, including the recruitment of doctors and nurses, and improved remuneration for health workers.
The Permanent Secretary of OSPHCDA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, assured that health workers would visit homes, schools, markets, and public places to administer the vaccine, emphasizing that vaccination is free ¹.
Stakeholders, including religious leaders and community heads, have pledged their support for the campaign, urging mothers to cooperate with health workers for the well-being of their children.
Anambra Prepares for 2024 Measles Vaccination Campaign
Anambra State is taking bold steps to protect its children from measles, with the latest Technical Working Group meeting chaired by Pharm Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, focusing on finalizing plans for the upcoming vaccination campaign.
The campaign, slated to run from October 12 to 18, aims to vaccinate over 1.1 million children across 330 wards in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This integrated effort is crucial in reducing the burden of measles and ensuring a healthier future for the state’s youngest citizens. With the support of partners like UNICEF and the National Orientation Agency, Anambra is gearing up to make this campaign a success.
The meeting focused on addressing pending tasks before the campaign launch, dubbed Pre-Implementation Activities, to ensure a smooth rollout.
The discussion at the meeting centered around five key areas: reviewing progress from the previous meeting, tackling pending tasks before the campaign launch, planning capacity building at the grassroots level to empower local healthcare workers, finalizing the rollout schedule for Anambra State, and ensuring all stakeholders are on track with their responsibilities.
By addressing these critical points, the agency aims to ensure a smooth and successful campaign rollout, ultimately protecting the state’s citizens from measles [based on provided context, no specific search result].
This integrated approach to vaccination campaigns has been successful in other states, such as Lagos, Ogun, and Gombe, where they targeted children aged 0-59 months with oral polio vaccine, measles, and Vitamin A supplements, alongside COVID-19 vaccines for adults.
By bringing all the vaccines to the doorsteps of the community, the campaign aims to increase vaccination rates and keep children and adults healthy. With effective planning and coordination, Anambra State is set to achieve its vaccination goals.
