UNICEF tasks media, health providers on effective measles vaccination
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the media and health service providers to ensure maximum information dissemination for a successful implementation of measles vaccination in the Southwest and Edo State during the implementation period between 5th–10th October 2024.
Speaking at the Media Orientation on HPV/Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Integrated Activities held in Oyo, Oyo State, today, the UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, charged participants to challenge themselves to ensure that all children get vaccinated during the implementation period.
Akinola-Akinwole noted that a child who is not vaccinated poses a threat to other children, which could lead to deaths and the downfall of society.
According to her, a vaccinated population means a healthy community and healthy children.
The Director of the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Rotimi Babalola, described the media as a critical agent in creating an environment for improvement in addressing myths and misconceptions surrounding some interventions.
The UNICEF Social Behavioural Consultant, Pita Otowu Obam, who spoke on the role of the media, charged them to address the issue of rumours by not spreading or repeating them but by giving out key messages for people to understand.
According to him, the Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) strategies target advocacy, community mobilisation, and engagement, saying that “the media are expected to support awareness creation through their professionalism.”
A representative of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Mrs Mariat Dnayi Soleye, urged participants to take the message out to the people within the zone of implementation to reach every child.
“It is preventable, and it is a burden if not taken care of. Let us join hands to make it a robust one,” she stated.
Also, the Oyo State Educator, Mr
Olarinde Olaoye, took time to sensitise participants on the National Training of Trainers for the Implementation of the 2024 Integrated Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs).
Olaoye, who spoke extensively on various diseases that could be addressed through vaccination, described the integrated campaign as combining various elements to combat these threats, noting that the integrated measles campaign does not stand alone.
He advised that people should not focus on treatment of diseases but on prevention, which, he said, is better than cure.
Highlights of the event included participating states presenting overviews of what they have done and their targets towards achieving 100 per cent implementation of the integrated measles campaign in their various states.
Participating states included Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Edo.
