The United Nations Children’s Fund, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, will commence a two-week mass immunisation of children and female teenagers starting from October 19, 2024.
Speaking at a two media dialogue titled, ‘A Media Dialogue to Enhance Routine Immunisation and Reduce Zero Dose Children,’ pn Thursday, the Immunisation Programme Coordinator for the Lagos State Public Health Board, Adetona Akinpelu, said the campaign primarily focused on children aged nine to 59 months.
He said that this initiative was part of UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children from life-threatening diseases such as tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, measles, and HPV.
Akinpelu stressed that the campaign aimed to close the immunity gaps that had widened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also disclosed that 63,981 personnel, including 14,218 health workers, would be required to carry out the exercise.
He said, “This campaign will target 21 million residents starting from October 19, 2024, and will run for two weeks. This will cover about 80 per cent of Lagos State’s population, and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.”
He also stressed the importance of media involvement in educating the public to ensure the campaign’s success.
Addressing challenges enountered, Akinpelu acknowledged the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals, commonly referred to as the “Japa syndrome.”
However, he expressed confidence in the state’s preparedness through partnerships with public and private sectors, healthcare training institutions, and retired health professionals.
On her psrt, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, who spoke virtually, said the campaign was part of efforts to reduce the 2.3 million unimmunised children in Nigeria, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas.
