LAGOS HEALTH DISTRICT I LAUNCHES IMMUNISATION DRIVE TO COMBAT LOW COVERAGE IN ALIMOSHO LGA

In a concerted effort to combat low immunisation rates among children under five, Lagos State Health District I has initiated a three-day sensitisation and awareness campaign across Alimosho Local Government Area. The programme, strategically designed to improve access to immunisation services through targeted outreach programmes, runs from Thursday, July 11th to Saturday, July 13th, 2024.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District I, Dr. Funmilayo Bankole the three-day sensitisation and awareness campaign, is aimed at tackling low immunisation rates among children under five and improving immunisation coverage for children under five in Alimosho Local Government Area. 

“The initiative is part of our broader strategy to enhance access to immunisation services, targeting specific communities with historically low vaccination rates. This intervention is designed to reach out to communities that have children with zero doses or partially completed immunisation schedules. We are focusing on hard-to-reach areas, boundary communities, and major markets within Alimosho”, she said.

Dr. Bankole disclosed further that the targeted areas include Hajj Camp, Ijegun, Ijagemo, Ayobo, Agbado boundary, Alagbado Alakuko, Egan communities, Unity Estate, Gowon Estate, and major markets such as Oja Oba, Orisunbare, and Ayobo markets.

She outlined the strategies employed in these areas, which include community engagement through stakeholder committees, the involvement of Community Development Committees (CDC), community mobilizers, and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). 

“We are leveraging community engagement to ensure the message reaches every corner of Alimosho. It’s a collective effort to safeguard our children’s health”, she noted.

While urging residents of the targeted communities to take advantage of the services provided and visit Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities within Alimosho LGA for vaccinations, the Permanent Secretary explained that the immunisation programme covers a range of preventable diseases, including Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae type B, Hepatitis B, and Measles.

Dr. Bankole emphasised the importance of adhering to the immunisation schedule, saying “To complete the immunisation doses, a child must receive BCG, Oral Polio, and Hepatitis B at birth; Oral Polio 1, Pentavalent 1, Rota Virus vaccinations, and IPV at six weeks; OPV2, Pentavalent Vaccine 2, and RotaVirus vaccinations at 10 weeks; OPV3, Pentavalent 3, IPV2, and Rota 3 at 14 weeks; and Measles, Yellow Fever, and Meningococcal vaccines at Nine months. Additionally, Vitamin A should be administered orally every six months up to the age of five years.”

While underscoring the Health District’s commitment to preventive healthcare, Dr. Bankole urged all residents to participate actively in the exercise, and other immunisation drives to protect the health and future of their children.