Oyo Government Begins Measles Vaccination for Children
Written by News Desk on October 19, 2024
Oyo state government has commenced the administration of measles vaccine to children between 0 and 59 months old.
At the flag off ceremony held at the Salvation Army Primary School, Kube, Ibadan, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Johnson Osoko explained that the integrated measles campaign was to prevent the airborne disease as dry season is approaching.
Dr Olatunji asserted that every child within the target age would be covered during the week long exercise.
“Oyo state is proactive and responsible to sustain zero measles status amongst over two million children in the state”, Olatunji stated.
Medical Officer of Health, Ibadan North local government, Dr Sunday Adewole commended the Ward Development Committee for the impressive turn out of residents to avail their children of the vaccination against preventable deadly diseases.
Speaking on behalf of Oyo state government partners on vaccination, Dr Paul Ajayi from the World Health Organisation, WHO, confirmed that the vaccine is safe, non-reactive and free, urging parents to present their to health officials at designated centres to ensure Community immunity.
The chairman, Ibadan North local government, Mr. Oluwaseun Olufade represented by the Supervisory Councillor, Health in the council, Mr. Musa Azeez promised to always support government health programmes for the well-being of people at the grassroots.
Leader of the Ward Development Committee, Ibadan North local government, Alhaji Isa Ayilara, who advised parents to desist from nonchalant attitude towards vaccination to guard against disease outbreak in the society, promised to step up awareness throughout the vaccination period.
Two mothers whose children were vaccinated, Mrs Bolanle Akinleye and Mrs Kikelomo Adewoyin expressed the belief that the vaccine would protect children against diseases, as they promised to encourage other parents to present their children for the vaccination.
Highlights of the exercise was the symbolic administration of measles vaccine on some children by the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Johnson Osoko and other health officials.
