The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced plans to vaccinate at least 1,136,952 children in Ogun State during the upcoming Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization campaign scheduled for October 5 to 11, 2024.
This initiative forms part of a larger effort by UNICEF to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
UNICEF’s representative in the South-West, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen at a one-day Zonal Media Orientation Workshop on HPV/Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization (NPSIS) in Oyo Town, Oyo State.
Akinola-Akinwole explained that the target in Ogun State is part of a larger goal to vaccinate over five million children across South-West Nigeria.
She emphasized the importance of the campaign, which primarily targets children between 9 and 59 months of age, in safeguarding their health and ensuring their protection against diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, and HPV.
Addressing media practitioners during the workshop, Akinola-Akinwole urged them to intensify public enlightenment efforts on the benefits of immunization.
“This vaccination campaign will eradicate several preventable diseases, including measles and HPV. The media has a vital role in educating the public on the importance of immunization,” she said.
She assured parents that the vaccines are both safe and free, encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunity for their children. “We understand that there are myths and misconceptions about vaccines, but we want to reassure parents that these vaccines are effective in protecting children from serious diseases,” Akinola-Akinwole noted.
Citing the success of past immunization campaigns, she explained, “Vaccines have been instrumental in eradicating diseases such as smallpox, and we encourage parents to ensure their children are protected through vaccination. By doing so, they are significantly increasing the chances of their children’s survival.”
Akinola-Akinwole also highlighted the strong collaboration between UNICEF, the Ogun State government, and the media, emphasizing that this partnership extends beyond immunization to ensuring the overall well-being of children.
“The Ogun State government has been a steadfast partner in supporting all our programs aimed at safeguarding children’s rights and promoting their survival,” she remarked.
She concluded by expressing optimism about the success of the campaign but acknowledged that there may be challenges related to vaccine acceptance. .
“We expect some level of resistance from parents, but we want to assure them that the vaccines are essential for boosting their children’s immunity against deadly diseases like measles. A healthy child is the foundation of a healthy society,” she stressed.
