Ogun govt targets over one million children for polio, mealses immunisation

Over one million children from the ages of 9 to 59 months are expected to be vaccinated in the next round of polio and measles immunisation in Ogun State.

This was disclosed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Social and Behavioral Change specialist, Mrs Aderonke Akinola- Akinwole, during a one day zonal media orientation on Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Integrated Activities (NPSIA), organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF, held on Thursday, in Oyo.

Akinola-Akinwole emphasised that the media engagement was imperative considering misconceptions about vaccinations against diseases in children and women respectively.

The UNICEF SBCS specialist enjoined media practitioners to join hands with relevant developmental partners in the health sector in disseminating correct information on the need for a child to be vaccinated against diseases that could lead to death or physical deformation.

She stated that no fewer than 1,136, 956 children are targeted to be immunized during the exercise that would kick off from October 5 to 11.

She said, “We are hopeful that this campaign will be very successful, however, we also envisaged that there might be rejection and non compliance from parents to allow their children to be vaccinated.

“We want to assure parents that the vaccines are safe and that it is just to increase immunity of children against measles which is a deadly disease.

“We want them to accept those vaccines for their children because it is only a healthy child that can make a healthy society.”

Akinola-Akinwole commended the Ogun State government for being a worthy partner in ensuring that children’s rights are protected.

“We appreciate the Ogun State government for being a partner that is not just limited to immunisation, but to children’s survival,” said the UNICEF SBCS.

The UNICEF Programme Director in Oyo State, Mr Rotimi Babalola, advised media professionals to help in eradicating misinformation and misconception about immunisation.

He charged participants to enlighten members of the public on the relevance of immunization saying taking it would eradicate diseases like Polio, HPV among others, while adding that the media engagement was to strengthen the relationship between UNICEF, government and the media and improve the living of the children.

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