Lagos State kicks off Non-Polio Supplemental Immunisation Campaign

NIGERIA—The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence the vaccination of over 18 million residents through its Non-Polio Supplemental Immunisation campaign.

This exercise, set to be carried out in partnership with UNICEF, will begin on October 19 across all 57 Local Government Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

During a media briefing in Lagos, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, explained the campaign’s objectives, which focus on boosting immunity against preventable diseases, particularly yellow fever.

The media orientation was organized by the Ministry of Information and Strategy, UNICEF, and the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board.

Dr. Bowale revealed that 85 percent of Lagosians, ranging from 9 months to 44 years, are targeted to receive yellow fever booster doses.

In addition to the yellow fever vaccine, other vaccines will be administered, including the measles vaccine for children aged 9 to 18 months, the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in girls aged 9 to 14, and the polio vaccine as part of routine immunisations.

The ultimate goal of the immunisation drive, he emphasized, is to achieve herd immunity within the population.

To achieve this, it is essential that at least 95 percent of eligible individuals receive the measles vaccine and 80 percent of those eligible receive the yellow fever vaccine.

Dr. Bowale stressed that vaccination is crucial for preventing diseases that could otherwise lead to serious illness or death.

 “Vaccination is safe, and it can ensure that we prevent a lot of diseases from maiming and killing our people,” he stated, adding that the goal is to achieve 95 per cent population coverage in Lagos.

He also urged journalists and media professionals to leverage their platforms to raise awareness about the benefits of these immunisations and the safety protocols involved. By doing so, they can significantly increase public participation and build trust in the health initiative.

Dr. Bowale further highlighted the importance of ensuring that no child is left behind, that mothers are reassured, and that communities understand the critical role these immunisation efforts play in safeguarding public health.

In his remarks, Dr. Akinpelu Adetola, the Immunisation Programme Coordinator for Lagos State, noted that the immunisation campaign is especially necessary given the recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, yellow fever, diphtheria, and cholera over the past two to three years.

These outbreaks, he explained, indicate a gap in community immunity, which must be addressed.

Dr. Adetola further outlined that the most effective way to close these immunity gaps is through a comprehensive state-wide immunisation activity while simultaneously ramping up routine immunisation efforts.

Yellow fever alone aims to vaccinate 85 percent of the state’s population, which amounts to over 21 million people.

He emphasized that yellow fever is an injectable vaccine, necessitating trained healthcare workers to administer the doses properly.

To ensure the campaign’s success, Dr. Adetola explained that the state has already begun engaging Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), and religious organizations at the ward, local government, and state levels in an effort to mobilize the public and increase vaccine coverage across Lagos.

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