The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, emphasized the critical need for comprehensive community involvement in the upcoming 2024 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign, which commences today. During the flag-off event held in Siun community, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area, Coker called upon various stakeholders—including parents, guardians, caregivers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and health workers—to support this vital public health initiative. The campaign is regarded as a significant stride in protecting the health of children within the state, focusing on preventing outbreaks of highly contagious diseases like measles, which pose serious health risks to the younger population.
Coker outlined the campaign’s importance, characterizing the vaccination process as pivotal for not only the individual health of children but also for community-wide protection. He urged parents and guardians to take advantage of this opportunity to vaccinate children between the ages of 9 to 59 months, contributing to broader public health goals such as eliminating measles and securing a healthier future for subsequent generations. He reassured the public that the vaccination is safe, free, and comes with proven effectiveness, thereby encouraging strong participation among families.
Targeting approximately 1,136,953 eligible children across all 20 Local Government Areas from October 19 to 25, the campaign will deploy over 5,000 trained health workers organized into teams at various vaccination sites. These sites include primary, secondary, and tertiary government health facilities, religious institutions, community markets, schools, parks, garages, and other designated locations. This widespread accessibility aims to simplify the vaccination process for families, ensuring that no eligible child is missed during the week-long initiative.
In addition to Coker’s remarks, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Development Board, elaborated on the preparations undertaken by the government, emphasizing the training and deployment of over 5,000 health workers for the campaign. He reiterated the importance of collaboration between parents, guardians, and community leaders to guarantee success in immunising children. Ogunsola’s call to action highlighted the crucial role that community commitment plays in effective public health measures, especially when it comes to safeguarding children’s health.
The initiative received praise from community leaders, including Olu of Siun, Oba Lawrence Odeyinka, who acknowledged the efforts of the state government in prioritizing child health and well-being. He urged parents and caregivers to engage actively in mobilizing eligible children for the vaccination. The involvement of community leaders and stakeholders is framed as essential for the campaign’s success, reiterating the message that community solidarity is crucial in overcoming public health challenges.
Support from health organizations was also evident, with representatives including Dr. Victoria Adebiyi from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Florence Moloku from UNICEF, and Mrs. Catherine Bello from the World Health Organisation, all commending the vaccination effort. They underscored the campaign as a vital milestone toward protecting every child against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The collective endorsement from these experts served to reinforce the call for community involvement and cooperation for the success of this critical public health initiative.
