UNICEF Targets Over 1m Children For Measles, Polio Immunisations In Ogun

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) targeted no fewer than 1,136,952 children for vaccination against measles during the forthcoming Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Non-Polio Supplemental immunisation holding in Ogun State in October 2024.

The exercise, scheduled to be held between October 5 and 11, will principally capture children between 9 and 59 months as part of UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children from life-threatening diseases.
This was disclosed yesterday by UNICEF’s representative in South-West, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, who spoke in an interview with LEADERSHIP Friday during a one-day Zonal Media Orientation Workshop on HPV/Non-Polio Supplemental Immunisation (NPSIS) held in Oyo town of Oyo State.

Akinola-Akinwole explained that more than one million Ogun children were part of the over five million children being targeted by UNICEF for measles immunization in the entire South-Western Nigeria.

Charging the participating media practitioners to step up enlightenment efforts on members of the public on the relevance of immunisation, Akinola-Akinwole explained that the vaccination would eradicate diseases, which include tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, measles and HPV, among others.

According to her, the workshop was meant to enlighten parents that vaccines were safe and free for children, strengthen the relationship between UNICEF, the government, and the media and improve children’s lives.

She urged parents to avail their children of the opportunity of free immunisation during the vaccination exercise across the country.

“We are aware that there are myths and misconceptions that debar people from taking the vaccine because it depicts their trust about taking the vaccines. However, we want parents to know that the vaccines are safe and effective and that they are free.

“Over the years, we’ve seen that vaccines have proven to be effective in eradicating small diseases such as smallpox, and so, why do we choose to deny our children from things that can affect them through vaccines? So, by allowing your child to be vaccinated, you have increased the survival rate of your children, which is the responsibility of every stakeholder and parents,” she added.

She noted that the workshop was to enlighten parents that vaccines were safe and free for children, strengthen the relationship between UNICEF, the government, and the media and improve children’s lives.