By Kemi Olatunde

The need for residents of Ondo State to present their children for measles vaccination which will commence soon has been stressed just as government targets 860,300 children for the exercise.

The exercise, Integrated Measles Campaign runs between 20th of October and 4th of November, 2022 across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state for children between ages 0 month – 59 months.

Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu spoke during a media orientation for Integration Measles Campaign last Wednesday in Akure.

He noted that government has invested so much to give qualitative health care to residents stating that significant workforce is on ground to ensure that the exercise is hitch free.

He explained that the exercise will go hand in hand with other antigens including PCG, Yellow Fever vaccine, Vitamin A, COVID-19 etc and other Primary Health Care (PHC) activities in order to attain a healthy society.

While commending the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his massive investment in PHC and partners for their support for the state, he revealed that necessary measures have been put in place to ensure a successful exercise. He noted that UNICEF made available cold boxes for vaccines to the state adding that the Governor also provided  two additional 100KVA generators for effective vaccines’ preservation.

While noting that the state has met all requirements for the exercise, he stressed the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination, adding that it is necessary that residents get vaccinated against all diseases.

He assured of safety of residents as government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have all security compromised areas under control.

Speaking extensively on the Measles Vaccination Campaign, Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Victor Adefesoye stressed the need for media engagement in sensitising residents on the need to willingly get vaccinated.

He explained that PHC is doing it’s best to ensure a healthy future,  adding that the Routine Immunisation is available to children according to schedule that is from 0 – 18months.

While reiterating that COVID-19 still does damage, he said that those who have been vaccinated against it have been placed on a degree of immunity which according to him isn’t enough to sanitise the society,  calling on others to get vaccinated to ensure a community free COVID-19.

He called on parents, care givers, school owners and religious organizations to present children for the exercise, noting that it is the legitimate right of children to get vaccinated. He stated there is sanction to be melted on anyone who prevent eligible children from being vaccinated.

He however revealed that the state has been divided into two groups for effective monitoring noting that the exercise for those in  group A( Ese Odo, Ilaje, Odigbo, Okitipupa, Ondo East, Ondo West, Ile Oluji, Akure South and Akure North )comes up between 20th and 27th of October, 2022 while the remaining Local Governments which fall into group B will access the exercise between 28th of October and 4th of November, 2022.