The Lagos State Government said it would commence the 2016 Measles Follow-Up Campaign on Thursday, Jan. 28, to run through Monday, Feb. 1.
Dr Jide Idris, the Commissioner for Health, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos during a media briefing. He said that healthcare providers at all levels had been trained to ensure the success of this year’s campaign.
Idris said that the measles campaign would last for five days in wards and communities.
“We have mounted 521 fixed posts in health facilities and 2, 216 temporary posts in public/ private schools, churches, mosques, town halls, bus stops, motor parks and markets, where immunisation will be provided.
“I appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure that their children between ages nine months up to five years are taken to the health posts for the vaccination.
“The service is free; the vaccine is safe and effective and is to be administered to children irrespective of their previous immunisation status.
“Though the duration of immunity conferred by measles antigen is lifelong and it is 85 per cent efficient,” he said.
Idris explained that measles was one of the six childhood killer diseases that could be prevented via complete and effective vaccination.
“Children do not need to die from vaccine preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, pertussis, tatanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis and yellow fever.
“Every child is expected to complete the routine immunisation schedule before the age of one to boost the immunity of the child against killer infections.
“The symptoms of measles infection include fever, running nose, sneezing, ulcer of the mouth, skin rashes that starts from the head and spreads to other parts of the body.
“Complication of measles infection is swelling of the brain tissues, ear and chest infection, blindness and even death.
“It is therefore, crucial for us to prevent children from this deadly disease by ensuring they receive a dose of measles immunisation during this campaign period,” Idris said. (NAN)
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