Lagos Government Partners with UNICEF To Sensitize Citizens on Non-Polio immunization campaign

 

Ahead the commencement of the Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Activities, NPSIA, the media have been charged to champion messages around the benefits of the exercise that will focus on Measles, Yellow Fever, Polio, Routine Immunization, Tetanus Diphtheria and the Human papillomavirus, HPV Vaccination.

Truetells Nigeria reports that the charge came to the fore at a media orientation programme on the NPSIA/Yellow Fever Campaign organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, and UNICEF.

In his welcome address, Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Abimbola Bowale reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to protecting citizens’ health through effective immunization strategies.

“Non-polio SIAs are a critical component of our strategy to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The vaccines to be given include Measles,Yellow Fever, and other routine immunizations including HPV.

The goal is to achieve herd immunity and the only way to do so, is to ensure that at least 95% of the eligible population receive the measles vaccine and 80% of the eligible population receive the yellow fever vaccine.

These activities are not merely operational tasks; they are life-saving interventions that contribute to the health and well-being of our future generations.

By reaching out to communities with compelling and accurate narratives, you help us drive home the importance of immunizations and dispel any myths or misconceptions.

I implore you to harness your platforms to amplify our message. Informing the public about the benefits of these supplemental immunizations and the safety protocols in place can significantly boost participation and trust in these health initiatives.

Your dedication to truthful and engaging reporting will play an instrumental role in our success.

Together, let us ensure that no child is left behind, that every mother is reassured, and that every community understands the indispensable value of these immunization efforts.

Our shared goal as partners in this fight, is a healthier, stronger Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole free from the scourge of preventable diseases.” He said

Highlighting the media’s essential role, the Permanent Secretary stressed that journalists must intensify efforts in disseminating accurate information to ensure that every child receives life-saving immunizations, with no one left behind.

“Informing the public about the benefits of these supplemental immunizations and the safety protocols in place can significantly boost participation and trust in these health initiatives,” he added.

In his paper, Immunization Programme Coordinator in the State Primary Health Care Board, Adetola Akinpelu explained that the NPSIA will target vaccines including Measles, Yellow Fever, and HPV, aiming for at least 95% coverage for the measles vaccine and 80% for yellow fever to achieve herd immunity.

“These activities are not merely operational tasks; they are life-saving interventions that contribute to the health and well-being of our future generations,” Akinpelu noted.

UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-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.

On the safety of health workers during the exercise, Akinola-Akinwole 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.

”UNICEF is committed to the shared goal of a healthier Lagos State and Nigeria, that is free from preventable diseases. We are already engaging with critical stakeholders such as Religious Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and Pressure Groups, among others to better capture our target audience”.

The event concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration between health officials and the media to foster a brighter, healthier future for all through effective communication tools such

jingles and concise messages in Indigenous Languages, Using Social Influencers and Freelancers, Testimonies, Data, and Statistics Interpretation among others.