Measles Campaign: Lagos residents show significant participation, decry low visibility

As the Lagos State 2018 Mass Measles Campaign enters its last week, observations show that many residents have continued to participate in the programme which started on March 15, to end on March 29.

However, some residents of the state called for an improved visibility on the part of the vaccinators so that the campaign targeted at capturing 3.6 million children would achieve its set goal of protecting children and reducing the burden of the disease in the state.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria’s (NAN) who visited some locations in Lagos on Sunday and Monday observed that the vaccinators were immunising children.

They observed that those that were being immunised include those going to and coming from churches and schools, who had not been immunised during this present campaign.

Commenting on the exercise, Mrs Tolu Alaba, a parent whose child was immunised at the Lawanson Bus stop at Olatilewa road, Ramoni Ward, Surulere LGA, told NAN that the initiative was laudable.

” I am happy to see the vaccinators at the bus stop , calling out to people to bring out their children for immunisation.

“It has afforded my children the opportunity to be vaccinated as I would not have been able to go to the health centre for it.

“The vaccinators were the ones that called us that we should bring our children for vaccination; it just took a few minutes to get it done.

“I encourage every parent to present their children and wards for immunisation against measles before the time elapses,’’she said.

Mrs Zainab Sunmola, a mother who was seen at the Alves Primary Health Centre point, Mushin LGA, said she was also happy that her child benefited from the immunisation.

According to her, she did not know about the campaign until she saw the immunisation team at a location on Aborishade Road.

She also urged parents to bring out their children for the 2017/2018 immunisation against measles.

Some residents participating in the campaign at locations near the Itire-Ijesha Primary Health Centre, Itire and Shitta, Surulere.

However, some residents said that they were not aware of the vaccination against measles and called for an increased sensitisation within communities.

Mr Dapo Oluseyi said,“Many of us do not know about this exercise; I think there should be more awareness so that more people can participate before it closes.

“Again, aside those in the PHCs, hospitals and permanent centres, the people administering the vaccination do not stay long enough at other designated locations.

“You see them and within one or two hours, they have left,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Emma Oka who lives in FESTAC town told NAN that there would be be the need for intensified penetration into communities as he had not seen vaccinators around his estate.

However, at Ikorodu, Lagos, Mrs Abigail Oduh told NAN that the vaccinators were going around the neighbourhood urging people to bring out their children for vaccination against measles.

“These vaccinators are going round with their megaphones calling people to bring their children for immunization.

“The vaccinators have immunised my baby and I am glad that they did,’’ she said.

Mr Kayode Adesokan, a team leader from the Alves Primary Health Centre told NAN that parents and residents were cooperating with the vaccinators.

According to him, community members are also cooperating by giving them spaces in their compounds or in front of their houses, providing tables and benches, for them to stay and immunise children.

He urged parents to get their children protected against measles, “The vaccine is free, safe and saves lives.

“Measles is a very dangerous viral disease and it is highly infectious; it spreads among children mostly in crowded areas like homes, schools and markets.

“When a child shows symptoms of measles such as high fever, redness of eyes, running nose and rash; take the child to the nearest health facility immediately.

“If a child contracts measles, it can lead to other complications including diarrhoea; eat infections, brain infection, pneumonia, blindness and even death, so, get your child vaccinated today,’’ he said.

The 2017/2018 LASG Mass Measles Campaign is targeted at immunising children of between nine months and five years, as well as eligible children, irrespective of previous vaccination history.

It is being conducted in all health facilities in the state as well as designated posts in communities, including bus stops, pharmacies and street points.

The 2018/2018 campaign has been tagged: ”Catch-up” campaign; it is to mop-up or reach children that had been missed during the exercise over the years, so as to meet the 95 per cent target coverage.

It is in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, the National Primary Healthcare Board Development Agency and other partners.