Stakeholders seek increased Polio vaccination, routine immunisation

Stakeholders have called for increased efforts to boost public trust on polio vaccination and routine immunisation in Lagos State. They spoke at an advocacy dialogue with state and local councils to increase trust and uptake of polio vaccines and other routine immunisation, organised by the state’s Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health District IV and Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Bowale Abimbola, said that “immunisation is the safest way to protect children against diseases, and ensuring their healthier future.”

She said: “Our children are our future and one of the ways to take care of their future is through immunization. “Immunisation is what ensures that our children do not die young. Through the support of stakeholders, getting children immunised will be made possible and easier to prevent diseases and death.”

The Programme Manager and Officer in Charge of UNICEF (Lagos), Muhammad Okorie, said that “immunisation plays a key role in the survival of every child.

“Lagos State should lead in the prioritisation and execution of child immunisation in the country. This is the greatest gift to a child, which should be given at the right time, even though there are barriers to immunisation, we can overcome it,” he said.

He stressed that immunisation in the state is life-saving and cost effective and that children should not be denied this necessity. The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, said that individuals need to trust the vaccination process, but unfortunately, there are many barriers.

“The barriers include psychological, socio-cultural, economic, religious, and institutional barriers, which should be gradually curbed by stakeholders in their respective capacities. Lagos State has introduced the HPV vaccine into immunisation and last October, and rolled out the vaccination, which prevents cervical cancer in women.

“UNICEF has come up with community engagement activities and community-led initiatives in ensuring that parents take on life saving behaviours that will impact the development of the children, particularly in respect to primary health care services.”

State’s Coordinator for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Chinyere Okafor, who was represented by Lawal Sherifat, said that child immunisation is a commitment and priority for UNICEF.

She urged traditional rulers to work with the health care system in the state and enlighten their community for a safer future. The Sarki of Alimosho, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmed Haruna, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, said they will go from door to door in their respective communities to create awareness on the benefits of child immunisation.

He said: “One of the challenges is that when we reach out to families, women want permission from their husbands before taking any decision and this has affected child immunisation significantly.”