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By Rasheedat Oladotun Iliyas
Ahead of a nationwide campaign on Measles-Rubella, MR, vaccine, the Kwara State Government and development partners have appealed to media organisations to sensitize people on the importance of the exercise for increased participation.
Addressing participants at a Media Dialogue in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu, emphasized that media contents, news and programming are essential in debunking myths about vaccines and providing factual information to gain public acceptance.
Professor Elelu represented by Director of Primary Healthcare, Dr Mike Oguntoye, said that the campaign which will begin on October 11 and end on October 22, seek to reach children who are between nine months and fourteen years across the sixteen local government areas of the State.
She said that after the exercise, the vaccine will be integrated into the routine immunization schedule to protect infants from life threatening illnesses.
Earlier, a Social and Behavioral Change Expert with UNICEF, Ibrahim Muhammed, said measles is one of the major factors of infant mortality and pointed out that the MR vaccine would not only prevent the disease but also protect children for life.
Mr Muhammed explained that the campaign targets children between nine months and fourteen years.
He emphasized the role of the media in ensuring acceptance of the vaccine and providing factual information about it.
“Mobilize parents, caregivers & communities-so that immunization days are seen not as routine, but as moments of protection and demonstration of care not just against polio, but all routine immunizations including measles, rubella, HPV amongst others.
“Amplify accurate information-so that parents know vaccines are safe, effective, paid for by the governments and provided at no additional charge,” he maintained.
Earlier, the Representative of World Health Organization, WHO, in Kwara State, Dr Emmanuel Eyitayo, affirmed that the vaccine had been certified safe by the organization and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, hence parents should have no doubt about its efficacy.
Dr Eyitayo however, stated that there might be mild side effects which are similar to regular immunization vaccines and should last not more than two days
In a presentation, Hajia Sarat Yunus of the Kwara State Ministry of Health, said Nigeria accounts for fifty percent (50%) of measles burden in Africa and that the country recorded over ninety-four cases between 2019 and 2024 with 719 deaths.
Hajia Yunus explained that the Measles-Rubella campaign would close the immunity gap and interrupt congenital complications.
She stated that by increasing population immunity through vaccination, the country aims to achieve less than five cases per million by 2026 and one case per million by 2030.
In another presentation on Infodemic, UNICEF’s Dr Usman Danlami emphasized the need for journalists to educate people using impactful stories to help them make informed choices for their children.
Dr Danlami also urged the media to prevent mis/disinformation and seek clarifications from verified sources.
There were goodwill messages from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and Corona Management Systems, CMS.
The Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign will be launched in Kwara State on Thursday by the First Lady, Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq.
By Rasheedat Iliyas
