Surulere Local Government Area (SLGA) of Lagos State on Thursday commenced the measles vaccination campaign, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A NAN correspondent who monitored activities in the area reports that health workers were in their uniforms going from house to house to immunise children against the disease.
Some of the health workers were also at schools in the area administering the measles vaccine to children within the ages required for the programme.
Earlier at the flag-off of the campaign, the Executive Chairman of SLGA, Mr Tajudeen Ajide, urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity to immunise their children.
“Vaccination cannot be too much, but more of it can be preventive, protective, safe and effective against its contact.
“We beckon on all and sundry, especially our mothers, to seize this opportunity to get our children immunised from March 22 to 29 against measles.
“I also want to urge you to be a good neighbour by informing others about this campaign, to benefit from this free service as provided by our government,“ he said.
Also, the Health Medical Officer of SLGA, Dr Kayode Odufuwa, said that the vaccine would help develop immunity and fight against infections in immunized children.
According to him, protected children result to healthy productive adults.
“The vaccination is free and temporary places will be provided close to houses for easy accessibility.
“It can also be accessible from Primary Health Clinics, schools, mosques and churches within the local government, “ Odufuwa said.
Mrs Modupe Owojuyegbe, Director, Health Education, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board
Owojuyegbe, had last week said that over 3.6 million children were being targeted in the Lagos State 2018 Mass Measles Campaign.
She said this was to protect children and reduce the burden of the disease.
“Measles is one of the leading illnesses of children under 5 years old in Nigeria, and in the previous measles campaign in 2015, Lagos State met 86.2 per cent out of the 95 per cent coverage target.
“This campaign is very important because we need to reach the nooks and crannies of the state,” she had said.
Owojuyegbe said the first phase of the campaign would hold in Alimosho, Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Mushin and Ojo local government areas between March 15 and March 22.
According to her, the second stream will hold between March 22 and March 29 in Apapa, Badagry, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu and Surulere LGAs.
She appealed to parents and caregivers to ensure that all the children between nine months and five years were taken to the health posts for the measles vaccination.