The Lagos State Government says its 2024 Integrated Vaccination Campaign carried out in October was successful with over 20 million residents vaccinated against yellow fever.
Dr Abimbola Bowale, the Supervising Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, gave the figure at a press briefing in Alausa on Tuesday.
Bowale said that the 20 million vaccinated residents represented 95 per cent coverage in the state.
He said further that about 3.6 million children received measles vaccination, representing an 85 per cent coverage.
He added that over 163, 553 eligibles received the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines.
“The campaign achieved significant milestones. 3,595,461 children were vaccinated against measles, representing 85% coverage.
“20,366,405 Lagosians received the yellow fever vaccine, achieving 95% coverage,
“While 163,553 eligible persons were vaccinated against HPV.
“The Integrated Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIA) campaign was a landmark public health intervention that aimed at addressing gaps in immunisation coverage and curbing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in Lagos State.
“The comprehensive campaign targeted measles, yellow fever, and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), prioritising high-risk populations and leveraging innovative strategies to maximise impact.
“By focusing on both urban and remote communities, the campaign sought to achieve herd immunity, reduce disease transmission, and strengthen routine immunisation systems,” the permanent secretary said.
He explained that phase one of the Integrated Supplemental Immunisation Activities Campaign covered densely populated areas with a higher burden of disease.
Bowale said that phase two focused on less-populated areas in the state, adding that each phase spanned 14 days, followed by dedicated mop-up activities to ensure that no eligible individual was missed.
“This strategy was complemented by extensive community engagement, robust monitoring mechanisms, and integrated service delivery.
“At its core, the campaign aimed at vaccinating all eligible children and adults, achieving operational excellence, and fostering community trust.
“Advocacy, social mobilisation and the use of both the conventional and social media were central to its implementation,” Bowale said.
He added that advocacy made to sensitise the communities had positive impact.
“Advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders, town hall meetings, and house-to-house campaigns played a critical role in building trust and securing community participation.
“Also, the use of social media influencers also was instrumental to the success of the campaign,” he said.
The permanent secretary said that additionally, GIS-based micro-planning, strategic staggering of campaigns, and innovative cold chain management optimised resource allocation and operational efficiency.
“These efforts were bolstered by large-scale social mobilisation activities, which reached over 20 million people and strengthened health systems through enhanced cold chain capacity and workforce training,” he said.
However, the permanent secretary identified some challenges during the immunisation programme as including persistent misinformation and vaccine hesitancy which hindered uptake in some communities.
Bowale urged parents to ensure their children are immunised to reduce disease transmission.
He commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the political will and financial power that ensured the success of the immunisation as well as all international and local partners’ innovation in advancing public health goals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in furtherance to the free wild polio-virus certification in August 2020, another polio-virus outbreak response campaign will commence from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22 across the state’s 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs.(NAN)
