Lagos Fixes Date For Commencement Of Integrated Vaccination Exercise, Targets 18m Citizens

By Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Lagos State Government has fixed Saturday, 19 October, 2024 for the commencement of the integrated Non Polio supplemental Activities exercise (NPSA) across the state, targeting at least 18 million citizens.

The exercise, which is expected to last for 14 days, is aimed at achieving 95 per cent coverage across the state, it will include, polio vaccination (O-23 months), routine immunization (0-23 months), measles vaccination ( 9 to 59 months) yellow fever vaccination (9 to 44 years) and HPV vaccination(9 to 14 years), tetanus diphtheria for girls and women(15 to 49 years).

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Public Health Board (LPHB), Mr Abimbola Bowale made this disclosure on Monday, 14 October, 2024 during media orientation on Non – Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (NPSIA) / Yellow Fever Campaign in Lagos.

Speaking at the well attended media orientation; Bowale said the exercise will target at least 18 million people in the state and about 95 per cent coverage is expected to be achieved during the 14 days exercise.
“Non polio SIAs are a critical components of our strategy to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The vaccines includes measles, Yellow fever, and other routine immunization including HPV .

The goal is to achieve herd immunity and the only way to do so, is to ensure at 95 per cent of the eligible population receive the measles vaccine and 80 per cent of the eligible population receive the yellow fever vaccine.

These activities are not only operational tasks; they are life-saving interventions that contribute to the health and well being of our future generations,” Bowale said.
According to him, the exercise is free and every community in the state, even in rural areas, will be covered by well trained health officials, just as he also called on residents of the state to come out for the exercise.

Bowale said the exercise is aimed at eradicating diseases and raise the immunity of people in the state, just as he called on all stakeholders to allow their wards to be vaccinated against all forms of diseases.

According to him, the stakeholders such as religious leaders, community development associations, government officials, all relevant groups within the state, among others, are going to be involved fully in the exercise to make it a huge success.
Bowale highlighted the important roles media will play in the forthcoming immunization exercise, saying that without them, the exercise will not achieved the desired results.

“The role you play in disseminating accurate and impactful information is pivotal in our collective effort to ensure that that every child receives life- saving immunization with no one left behind. The influence you wield in shaping public perception and behavior cannot be overstated,” he said.
“By reaching out to communities with compelling and accurate narratives, you help us drive home the importance of immunizations and dispel any myths or misconceptions about the exercise,” Bowale said.
The Perm Sec, who implore the media to harness their platforms to amplify the message, informing the public about the benefits of these immunizations and the safety protocols in place can significantly boost participation and trust in these health initiatives, added that “ your dedication and engaging reporting will play a an instrumental role in our success.

“Together, let us ensure that no child is left behind, that every mother is reassured, and that every community understands the indispensable value of these immunization efforts” he said, adding that the media and the state government are partners in the fight against the diseases, not only in Lagos State but all over the country.

“Our shared goals as partners in the fights, is healthier, stronger Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole free from the scourge of preventable diseases,” Bowale said, expressing the media and commitment to this noble cause.”
“Let us continue to work hand in hand to create a brighter, healthier future for all, ” he said.

Speaking also at the media orientation, Immunization Programme Coordinator, Dr Akinpelu Adetola, said the exercise will is aimed getting the vaccines to everybody in the state, just as he also disclosed that the state government has engaged the services of health experts to make the exercise a huge success.
According to Adetola, for the exercise to achieve the desired results, communication from bottom to top approach will be the used in talking to the community leaders and other stakeholders such as primary school pupils, secondary school students and students of higher institutions in the state.

He added that in every local government, every ward, “we will have our well trained officials in ground to ensure that everything is covered,”

Adetola also added that the immunization exercise will take place in schools, popular places, shopping malls, shopping complex, churches, mosques among other important places throughout the length and breadth of the state.
He also spoke on the SIAs, including the significance of integrated SIAs, goals and targets, current status and statistics, risks, symptoms, prevention, impact, eradication efforts, prevention and control measures.

Speaking at the media orientation, the Social and Behaviour change Specialist of United Nations Children Emergency Fund(UNICEF), Mrs Aderonke Akinola Akinwale, debunked and demystified myths and misconceptions about vaccines.

UNICEF specialist said that contrary to the belief that vaccination is not safe good, “vaccines are safe and effective to protect the community and the entire state. It makes individual, community, the nation as a whole healthier and contributes to national development. In an atmosphere of good health, growth and development of the economy will be achieved and the country will be prosperous.”