The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, has urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and health workers to support the 2024 Integrated Measles Vaccination Campaign, which begins today. Dr. Coker made the appeal on Friday during the official launch of the campaign in Siun community, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area.
Speaking at the flag-off event, Dr. Coker emphasized the significance of the vaccination campaign in protecting children from measles, a highly contagious disease. “This vaccination protects individual children and shields communities from outbreaks. By vaccinating their children, parents contribute to the broader goal of eradicating measles and ensuring a healthier future for the next generation. The vaccination is free, safe, and effective,” she said.
Dr. Coker further explained that the campaign targets approximately 1,136,953 children aged 9 to 59 months across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas. The seven-day campaign, running from October 19 to 25, 2024, will see the deployment of over 5,000 health workers stationed at various locations, including health facilities, churches, mosques, schools, markets, parks, and garages.
The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, added that the state government had trained and mobilized the health workers to ensure the success of the vaccination drive. He called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to actively support the initiative by bringing their eligible children forward for vaccination.
At the event, the Olu of Siun, Oba Lawrence Odeyinka, praised the state government’s efforts to prioritize children’s health. He urged parents and caregivers to mobilize eligible children within their communities to take advantage of the free vaccination.
In separate remarks, Dr. Victoria Adebiyi, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency; Mrs. Florence Moloku, State Consultant for Vaccine Security and Logistics at UNICEF; and Mrs. Catherine Bello, a representative of the World Health Organization, commended the vaccination campaign as a critical step in protecting every child in Ogun State from measles and other preventable diseases.
The campaign is part of the state’s broader public health efforts to ensure a healthier future for its younger population.
