Abiodun JIMOH
The Lagos State Government (LASG) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are collaborating to immunize 18 million Lagos residents against measles, yellow fever, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. The immunization exercise, which is scheduled to hold from October 19th for two weeks in all 57 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state, is part of the Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities (NSIA) ¹.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Abimbola Bowale, the goal of the exercise is to achieve herd immunity by ensuring that at least 95% of the eligible population receive the measles vaccine and 80% receive the yellow fever vaccine. He emphasized that the activities are not merely operational tasks but life-saving interventions that contribute to the health and well-being of future generations.
The State Immunization Programme Coordinator, IPC for Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Adetola Akinpelu, noted that the outbreaks show an immunity gap in the community, which the state-wide immunization activity aims to close while ramping up routine immunization processes in the states.
UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinwole, said the fund intends to employ the help of journalists to combat myths through credible and easy-to-understand content, which will promote and increase vaccine trust and acceptance. She noted that measures are in place in collaboration with the Lagos State Government to deploy qualified personnel, potent vaccines, and other equipment to ensure the success of the exercise.
The LASG and UNICEF are committed to a healthier Lagos State and Nigeria, free from preventable diseases. They are engaging with critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, traditional rulers, and pressure groups to better capture their target audience.
