Lagos State Government is targeting 18 million people in its Non-Polio Supplemental Immunisation, the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board ,Dr. Abimbola Bowale.
He said this at the Media Orientation on Non-Polio Supplemental Immunisation Activities (Integrated Yellow Fever) on Monday.
The event, which is a collaboration between Ministry of Information and Strategy and UNICEF, according to Bowale will start in October 19.
He stated, ” For this crucial media orientation dialogue on Non-polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs), our commitment to safeguarding the health of our nation is unwavering and immunization plays a crucial role in that. ”
According to him, the Immunization is the first line of defence in strengthening the health indices of a family, the healthcare system and the society as a whole.
Calling on the media to help spread the campaign, Bowale noted that the role journalists play in disseminating accurate and impactful information is pivotal in the collective effort to ensure that every child receive life saving immunizations with no one left behind.
H said that the influence the media wield in shaping public perception and behaviour cannot be overstated, adding that non-polio SIAs are a critical component of the government’s 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,” he said.
According to him, 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.
I implore you to harness your platforms to amplify our message. Informing 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.
Your dedication to truthful and engaging reporting will play an instrumental role in our success.
Together, let us ensure that no child is left behind, that every mother is reassured, and that every community understands the indispensable value of these immunization efforts.
Our shared goal as partners in this fight, is a healthier, stronger Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole free from the scourge of preventable diseases, ” he said.
