The wife of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Seun Aiyedatiwa, has called on parents to protect their children from killer diseases through vaccination.

Mrs Aiyedatiwa made the appeal on Wednesday, while flagging off the campaign on the measles-rubella and malaria vaccine (MRV) in Akure.

She said that the campaign aligned with national and global immunisation goals and targets the prevention of the two highly deleterious diseases with serious public health implications.

She described vaccination as life-saving and something that should be embraced and supported by all, considering its impacts on child survival and well-being.

“This campaign reminds us that, as we celebrate how far we have come as a state, we must also make deliberate efforts to protect where we are going. Also, that future lies in the health and well-being of our children.

“This campaign represents a powerful statement that true development is not only about roads and buildings but about ensuring healthy children, who will carry Ondo State into the next 50 years,” she said.

According to her, measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses, while rubella infection during pregnancy can result in congenital rubella syndrome.

Mrs Aiyedatiwa added that this could lead to serious outcomes such as congenital heart defects, cataracts, hearing impairment, and developmental delays in infants.

She further said that malaria, as well known, was a leading cause of illness and death among children under five years old in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa at large.

She noted that the target was to immunise more than 2.2 million children aged nine months to 14 years for the MR vaccine and 193,083 children aged five months to 21 months for the malaria vaccine.

She stated that other immunisation services, such as the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls aged nine years old and the routine immunisation, would also be provided.

According to her, MR and malaria vaccines are safe, effective and provided free.

She appealed to parents and caregivers to embrace the integrated vaccination, urging them not to allow rumours, fear, or misinformation to deter them from protecting their children.

She enjoined traditional rulers, religious leaders, health workers and the community at large to step up intensive mobilisation activities for the success of the campaign.

“The failure of one child to take the necessary vaccine is a collective failure of us all and a looming danger for the immunity we desire to keep our public health space strong in Ondo State,” Mrs Aiyedatiwa said.

In his words, the permanent secretary of the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Francis Akanbiemu, lauded the governor’s wife for championing the safety of mothers and children in the state.

Mr Akanbiemu said that Ms Aiyedatiwa’s advocacy programmes had made positive impacts, saying that the vaccination would last for 10 days.

He said, “The vaccination is critical because those already affected by measles and rubella cannot tell a good story. Also, malaria remains the commonest among the five killer diseases among the children.”

The permanent secretary attributed the high-performing status of the state in immunisation to massive support, consistent funding and resources from the government.

Mr Akanbiemu said that the government’s intervention in the sector was making great impact that could be felt in health facilities in the state, saying, “The MRV vaccine is free and safe.”

Also, a World Health Organisation representative, Ningi Nhu, described the campaign as a significant milestone in turning around against these diseases.

Mr Nhu said: “Immunisation is one of the key interventions that are effective in ensuring safety of lives and ensuring good health of citizens; it promotes overall well-being.

“It is, therefore, necessary that efforts of the government are being supported in ensuring the success of the campaign.

“Ondo State will be the third state for malaria vaccination and it is because of the exemplary being shown by the state.”

In his remarks, a United Nations Children’s Fund representative in Nigeria, Sheikh Kabir, described measles and rubella as very dangerous and killing children; hence, the need to key into the campaign.

Mr Kabir noted that the vaccine had become part of the routine immunisation, appealing to parents and caregivers to make the campaign successful. 

(NAN)