As part of its efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children, Ogun State will begin an integrated measles campaign from September 21 to 25 across the 20 local government areas in the state.
To this end, the state government is seeking the support of relevant stakeholders for the successful mobilization and implementation of the program.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Adesina, announced this during the State Mobilization and Technical Committee (S-SOMTEC) meeting organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), held at the Press Centre of the Ministry in Abeokuta over the weekend.
Adesina stated that the campaign was part of the state government’s efforts to partner with donor agencies to safeguard children’s health through vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing that the well-being of mothers and the survival of their children are crucial for securing the future of society.
“Our goal as a government is to ensure that no mother or child, regardless of their socio-economic status, is left behind in our maternal and infant health interventions. This commitment aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goals, which focus on inclusivity and the well-being of all individuals,” he said.
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The UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Consultant in the state, Dr. Pita Obam, stated that the target population for the 2024 Measles Campaign includes children aged nine months to five years, assuring that the vaccine is safe and effective for preventing measles.
He explained that measles is an acute viral respiratory illness that is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne transmission when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms include a skin rash, fever, runny nose, and cough, and the disease can cause brain damage, blindness, and death.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one dose of the vaccine is approximately 93 percent effective at preventing measles, while two doses are about 97 percent effective. This is why we are striving for extensive coverage during the integrated campaign,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Information and Production Services in the Ministry, who also serves as the Programme Director of the UNICEF-Assisted Programme, Mrs. Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, noted that the S-SOMTEC platform, established through the collaborative efforts of UNICEF and the Ministry, has been instrumental in advancing the improved health status of mothers and children.
