The Lagos State Government has revealed that no fewer than 3.5 million children were vaccinated against measles while 20.3 million residents received vaccination for yellow fever in 2024.
The revelation was made known by Dr. Abimbola Bowale, the Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, yesterday during a conference for November supplemental immunisation activities and the polio outbreak response.
Reminiscing about the 2024 campaign held on 19 October, Dr. Bowale acknowledged that the campaign was a result of combined efforts and commitment from dedicated healthcare workers, partners, and Lagos people.
He noted that the campaigner aimed to cover the gap in immunisation coverage and combat the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in the state.
Dr. Bowale said, “This is a comprehensive campaign targeting measles, yellow fever, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), prioritising high-risk populations and leveraging innovative strategies to maximise impact.”
“By focusing on both urban and remote communities, the campaign sought to achieve herd immunity, reduce disease transmission, and strengthen routine immunisation systems.”
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While emphasising the state government’s commitment to protecting lives, he said that from 18 January to 22 January of 2025, there will be a polio outbreak response in all 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas to maintain the country’s polio-free status.
The target venues to visit for the vaccine include residential homes, schools, churches, mosques, gated estates, and all public places.
He said, “If we become complacent, the entire country is vulnerable to reinfection by the wild poliovirus, especially with a recent outbreak of wild polio-virus type 1 in Malawi and Mozambique.
“Therefore, every state must maintain its zero WPV status and halt the transmission of circulating variant polio-virus type 2 (cVPV2) by conducting high-quality campaigns and improving routine immunisation coverage to ensure high population immunity as a deterrent against any reinfection of the wild poliovirus.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser on Health, appreciated significant stakeholders and partners collaborating with the state government in the health sector for their unwavering support.
The stakeholders include the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), and community-based organisations.
