The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board LSPHCB , celebrates the success of Measles and Yellow Fever Mass Vaccination Campaign recently in Lagos on Tuesday.
In a press conference held at the Lagos state press center, Alausa, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, PS Health District 4,also the supervising PS to the LSPHCB , disclosed activities that lead to the Success of the vaccine campaign. The campaign which kicked off in October 19th 2024 have recorded a tremendous amount of impact, Dr Kemi said.
Dr Bowale further said the campaign was a testament to the unwavering commitment of our dedicated healthcare workers, the invaluable support of our partners, and the active participation of the good people of Lagos State.
Lagos State Government commenced the year 2024 Measles and Yellow Fever Integrated vaccination campaign on the 19th of October 2024.The Integrated Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIA) campaign was a landmark public health intervention that was aimed at addressing gaps in immunization coverage and curbing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in Lagos State.
Hence , the comprehensive campaign targeted measles, yellow fever, and Human Papilloma-virus (HPV), prioritizing high-risk populations and leveraging innovative strategies to maximize impact which focus on both urban and remote communities, the campaign sought to achieve herd immunity, reduce disease transmission, and strengthen routine immunization systems.
The campaign’s phased approach was pivotal in its success. Phase 1 covered densely populated areas with a higher burden of disease, while Phase 2 focused on less-populated areas in the State. Each phase spanned 14 days, followed by dedicated mop-up activities to ensure no eligible individuals were missed.
He also express the fact that the strategy was complemented by extensive community engagement, robust monitoring mechanisms, and integrated service delivery its core, the campaign also aimed to vaccinate all eligible children and adults, achieve operational excellence, and foster community trust , in which Advocacy, social mobilization and the use of both the conventional and social media were central to its implementation. 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. The use of Social Media influencers also was instrumental to the success of the campaign. Additionally, GIS-based micro-planning, strategic staggering of campaigns, and innovative cold chain management optimized resource allocation and operational efficiency.
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 , which efforts were bolstered by large-scale social mobilization activities, which reached over 21 million people and strengthened health systems through enhanced cold chain capacity and workforce training.
Dr Bowale retraced some of the challenge the campaign faced on the path to success which she alluded to delays in funds for logistics, and vaccine supply disrupted timelines, while limited cold chain storage and logistics infrastructure posed operational constraints , yet persistent misinformation and vaccine hesitancy further hindered uptake in some communities , however, these challenges underscored the importance of data-driven planning, real-time monitoring, and adaptive strategies.Key lessons from the campaign include the critical role of high-level advocacy and stakeholder engagement in driving public health initiatives. Data-driven decision-making and community-led mobilization strategies emerged as effective tools for improving vaccine acceptance and coverage.
Further more , the campaign’s achievements provide a robust framework for future integrated immunization efforts. In conclusion, the 2024 Integrated SIA campaign exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in advancing public health goals. Its success underscores the importance of sustained political commitment, community engagement, and data-driven approaches in addressing the persistent challenges of vaccine-preventable diseases.This success is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of all Lagosians.
Measles and yellow fever are serious, potentially life-threatening diseases, and this campaign has played a crucial role in:Preventing outbreaks: By significantly increasing immunization rates, we have effectively minimized the risk of future outbreaks of these diseases within our state.Saving lives through vaccinations which is a cornerstone of disease prevention, and this campaign has undoubtedly saved countless lives.Building a healthier future by protecting our children from these preventable diseases, we are investing in a healthier and more prosperous future for Lagos State .
The board also outline importance to maintain the country’s polio-free status.Please remember the country achieved a free wild polio-virus (WPS) certification in August 2020Sadly, some states are still detecting cases and isolating another variant of polio-virus from both human and environmental sources.
If we become complacent, the entire country is vulnerable to reinfection by the wild polio-virus, especially with a recent outbreak of wild polio-virus type 1 in Malawi and Mozambique, therefore, every state must maintain its zero WPV status and halt the transmission of circulating variant polio-virus type 2 (cVPV2)by conducting high-quality campaigns and improving routine immunization coverage to ensure high population immunity as a deterrent against any reinfection of the wild polio-virus This Outbreak Response (OBR) will hold between Saturday 18th to Tuesday 22nd January 2025,during these periods, vaccination teams will be required to visit residential homes, schools, churches, mosques, gated estates, and all public places where eligible children will be found.
He urged everyone to continue to prioritize immunization as a crucial pillar of our healthcare system and strive to create a healthier, stronger, and resilient Lagos State for all.
Dr Abimbola Bowale expressed appreciation to the Lagos State First Lady Dr Mr Claudia Ibijoke Sanwo olu and other Health sectors that contributed to the success of making Lagos a health free zone .
