The Kwara State government officially initiated another round of the measles campaign and intensified routine immunization drive, covering all 193 wards and 16 local government areas across the state.
Speaking at the program in Ilorin, the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, who also chairs the State Taskforce on Immunization, emphasized the significance of the measles immunization campaign. He described it as a life-saving intervention aimed at reducing childhood morbidity and mortality.
Measles, an acute and highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus, is a leading cause of illness and death among children under the age of five. Mr. Alabi noted that Nigeria reports more than 17,000 cases of measles each year, with thousands of unrecorded cases.
In addition to the measles vaccine, the Deputy Governor urged all mothers and caregivers to make use of the opportunity to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases through the Routine Immunization outreach currently underway throughout the state.
Dr Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, pointed out that the use of the measles vaccine has led to an impressive 84% reduction in measles-related deaths. Currently, 70% of all measles cases affect children under five who missed vaccination in their first year of life.
Dr Elelu explained that a single dose of the measles vaccine is insufficient to achieve the minimum 95% immunity required to protect the target group.
Approximately 15% of children who receive the first dose of the measles vaccine fail to develop adequate immunity, necessitating a second dose to safeguard them. This approach also ensures that children who missed their first dose in their first year of life are given the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Rt Hon Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, highlighted the vital role of traditional rulers in the success of the measles campaign. He stressed that the traditional institution could effectively convey the information needed to encourage grassroots participation in the immunization drive among their subjects.
Dr Abdulahi Salisu, representing the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global partners, commended the state government for its efforts in intensifying the campaign against measles and other diseases. He affirmed the commitment of these partners to support the state government in achieving the 95% coverage target.
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