IBADAN- The wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, on Thursday, flagged off the Integrated Measles-Rubella, Oral Polio, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Routine Immunisation and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) vaccination campaign in Oyo.
Represented by the Chairman, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Mr Dada Awoleye, said at the launch on Thursday that the state under the current administration had been cooperating with programmes of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other development partners.
This, she said, had contributed to the reason why the state was participating in the first phase of the vaccination.
She urged parents and guardians to release their wards that fall between the specified age bracket to take full advantage of free vaccination campaign.
“We are committed and has put everything in place to achieve 100 per cent coverage. We want to encourage parents and guardians to embrace this campaign and allow their wards to take the vaccination,” she said.
Also, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, noted that measles and rubella remained serious vaccine-preventable diseases that continue to threaten the lives of children, especially in communities with low immunisation coverage.
According to her, measles is one of the most contagious diseases capable of causing severe complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, blindness, and even death.
“Rubella, though mild in children, poses devastating risks to unborn babies when pregnant women are infected, often leading to congenital rubella syndrome.
“Our goal in Oyo State is to ensure no child is left behind, and that every eligible child aged nine months to 59 months receives the measles-rubella vaccine during this campaign.
“The 2025 Integrated MR Campaign is designed to strengthen our routine immunization system while delivering other essential child health interventions.
“Health workers will be mobilised to provide services at both fixed and temporary vaccination posts such as schools, markets, churches, mosques, and other community gathering points.
“We are integrating other key health interventions such as Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and health education to maximise the impact of this campaign.
“We sincerely appreciate our development partners, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and all supporting organisations for their technical and financial assistance in planning, training, and supervision of this campaign,” she said.
Also, the Health Specialist UNICEF Lagos, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, commended governor’s unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of every child in Oyo State.
She reiterated that integrated approach of bringing together measles, rubella, polio, HPV vaccination for nine-year-old girls, routine immunisation, and NTD interventions demonstrated the power of coordination and efficiency.
“Today’s event reflects not just a campaign, but a strong statement, that the health of our children is at the centre of Oyo State’s development agenda.
“It is about reaching more families, saving more lives, and using every contact with the community to deliver health, hope, and protection.
“UNICEF is proud to be part of this collective effort, supporting the Oyo State Government and partners through vaccine logistics, cold chain operations, waste management, and most importantly social and behaviour change communication because beyond vaccines, we must ensure communities understand, trust, and embrace these life-saving vaccines.
“We remain steadfast in our partnership to support the state in building resilient systems that protect every child, everywhere, every time,” she said. (NAN)
