Our Reporter
The Imota Local Council Development Area LCDA has intensified efforts to safeguard child’s health with the extension of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign to schools, churches, mosques, and communities across the council area.
The initiative forms part of a broader public health strategy aimed at increasing vaccine coverage and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases among children. The school-based vaccination exercise targets children within the approved age bracket, with health officials working closely with school administrators and teachers to ensure orderly and safe administration of the vaccines.
Speaking on the campaign, the Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele reaffirmed the council’s commitment to protecting the lives and well-being of children.
He noted that taking the vaccination exercise directly to places of learning, worship, and community gatherings would help eliminate barriers to access and ensure that no eligible child is left behind.
According to the Council Chairman, the approach is designed to reach large numbers of children within a controlled environment while also providing health education on the importance of routine immunisation.
In churches and mosques, vaccination teams collaborated with religious leaders to sensitise parents and guardians on the safety and benefits of the Measles-Rubella vaccine. Religious leaders were commended for their cooperation and advocacy, which significantly boosted community trust and participation in the campaign.
Beyond schools and religious centres, mobile health teams were deployed to various communities within Imota LCDA to reach households and informal settlements. This community-based outreach ensured that children who might not be enrolled in school or who missed earlier vaccination opportunities were also captured in the exercise.
During the exercise, the Medical Officer of Health for Imota LCDA, Dr. Yomi Owoyele explained that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and critical in preventing serious childhood illnesses that can lead to complications or death. He urged parents and caregivers to present their children for vaccination and to support health workers in achieving full coverage.
Residents who participated in the campaign expressed appreciation for the proactive approach adopted by the local government, describing it as people-centred and responsive. Many parents noted that bringing the vaccination closer to them reduced cost, time, and logistical challenges.
