Oyo Govt, Unicef Orientate Media Professionals On HPV, Non Polio Supplemental, Measles Immunization

IBADAN – Unicef and Oyo State government have collaborated to train media professionals and health officers on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Non Polio supplemental and measles immunization.

The workshop which took place in Oyo town, Oyo State have in attendance media professionals and health officials from South West states and Edo State.

Speaking during the one day training, UNICEF representative, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole charged participants to continue to enlighten members of the public on the relevance of immunization, saying taking it would eradicate diseases like Polio, measles and HPV among others.

According to her, the workshop was to enlighten parents that the vaccines are safe and free for the children.

She noted that the vaccines have proven to be effective in eradicating small diseases such as smallpox, urging parents to avail their children the opportunity of the free immunization during the vaccination exercise across the country.

“We are aware that, there are myths and misconceptions that debar people from taking the vaccine because it depicts their trust about taking the vaccines. However, we want parents to know that the vaccines are safe and effective and they are free.

“Over the years, we’ve seen that the vaccines have proven to be effective in eradicating small diseases such as smallpox, and so, why do we choose to deny our children from things that can affect them through vaccines. So by allowing your child to be vaccinated you have actually increased the survival rate of your children and that is the responsibility of every stakeholder and parents.

“The programme is going to be for 2 weeks, so that no children are missed. We are using this opportunity to get routine immunization not just the measles campaign now.

“Across the South West states, except Lagos, the campaign is kicking off on October 5, 2024. We want the media to help us raise awareness and to build vaccines trust and acceptance.

Also speaking, UNICEF Programme Director, Oyo State, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, appealed to media professionals to help in eradicating misinformation and misconception about immunization, especially the measles campaign coming up next week.

Mr. Babalola charged participants to enlighten members of the public on the relevance of immunization saying taking it would eradicate diseases like Polio, HPV among others.

He said the workshop was to strengthen the relationship between Unicef, government and the media and improve the living of the children.

He solicited for the cooperation of the media as a critical stakeholder to create an environment where knowledge, attitude and practices within the society.

Some of the representatives of the states at the training said different efforts such as community engagement and media publicity have been put in place to ensure success of the measles campaign.

They explained that the measles immunization is for children between 9 months and 5 years while they rolled out numbers of targeted children.

According to the Ekiti state health education representative, the state is expected to immunize 624,554 children, Ondo state is targeting 919,000 children while Ogun state is targeting 1, 136, 952 children.