Lagos State Govt Collaborates with UNICEF to Sensitize On Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities ( SIAs) For Nigerians
By Onome Naomi
The Ministry of Information & Strategy partners UNICEF for a media orientation dialogue on non-polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) for Nigerian Citizens from ages 9 months to 44 years. UNICEF is also supporting the Lagos state government to ensure that all critical stake holders are on board including religious leaders, traditionalists and the grassroots to create awareness, enhance and sustain the acceptance of vaccines.
The sensitization program held on Monday, October 14th, 2024 in Lagos is meant to create awareness on the essence of safeguarding health by Immunization which is the first line of defence in strengthening the health indices of a family, the healthcare system and the society as a whole. To this effect, an immunization exercise will commence on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas ( LCDAs) in Lagos.
The yellow booster vaccination exercise is targeted to reach 85 percent of Lagosians from nine months to 44 years of age as organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF),
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information & Strategy, Directors of the Min of Info and strategy and LSPHCB, Program Managers, other Immunization Partners and the press in attendance had an in depth analysis on sustainable strategies to create awareness especially amongst persons misinformed on the importance of immunization.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Strategy Dr Abimbola Bowale told pressmen that disseminating accurate and impactful information is pivotal in our collective effort to ensure that every child receive life saving immunizations with no one left behind. Says the influence we weild in shaping public perception and behavior cannot be overstated. Implores the media So it is important that the media spread this news so that people can access this vaccine.
She further stated that:
“Non-polio SIAs are a critical component of our strategy to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccines to be given include Measles,Yellow Fever, and other routine immunizations including HPV.”
” The goal is to achieve herd immunity and the only way to do so, is to ensure that at least 95% of the eligible population receive the measles vaccine and 80% of the eligible population receive the yellow fever vaccine.
These activities are not merely operational tasks; they are life-saving interventions that contribute to the health and well-being of our future generations.”
” 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.”
She urges the media to harness various platforms to amplify the importance of immunization and create a stealthy ground for a vast majority to partake. Vital Information made available to the public about the benefits of these supplemental immunizations and the safety protocols in place can significantly boost participation and trust in these health initiatives.
The media collaboration, is paramount to ensure that no child is left behind, that every mother is reassured, and that every community understands the indispensable value of these immunization efforts. The shared goal as partners in the fight, is a healthier, stronger Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole free from the scourge of preventable diseases, she added.
Mrs Aderonke Akinola Akinwole, the Social & Behavioural Change Specialist UNICEF stated that the media orientation is a call to action by media practitioners to help popularize vaccine’s safety and acceptance . She noted that in times past, the populace has shown reluctance due rumours, misinformation and disinformation.
Via media collaboration, the awareness will gain a vast momentum reaching depths, nooks and crannies of the state by means of various media platforms to disseminate the right information leading to increase in vaccine trust and acceptance,Aderonke said.
Aderonke further stated that Lagos state government will be launching the Non_Polio supplemental immunisation activities, assures the people of Lagos that the right health workers with uniforms for identification purposes will be put in charge of vaccination.
Aderonke stated that, as an integrated campaign, a lot of vaccines will be administered including different antigens. There will be routine immunisation for children under 2 years of age, measles vaccine for 9 months to 5 years old, yellow fever vaccine from 9 months to 44 years old as well as HPB vaccination for girls which prevents cancer and can be found at primary health care centers. Noted that it is important for parents to make sure their children who falls within these categories gets vaccinated.
More also, girls within the age 9 to 14 can access the HPB vaccines for free from now to December 2024; From 2025, the access to HPB vaccines will be made available for f only 9 year old girls for free, Aderonke affirms.
