The Kwara State government has launched the 2023 measles and immunisation campaign for children under five, pledging to ensure that the exercise covers the vast majority of the target group. The campaign and routine immunisation will run for seven days.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ilorin, Kayode Alabi, the deputy governor and chairman of the state task force on immunisation, said the vaccine has been distributed to various healthcare centres in the 16 local governments of the state for proper administration.

“The government through the State Primary HealthCare Development Agency will do everything within its power to ensure that the vaccines reach every eligible child within the shortest possible period of time.

“I am aware the vaccine has been distributed across all health facilities in the 16 local government areas to administer it to all eligible children. I implore all mothers and caregivers to avail their children of the opportunity of preventing untimely deaths through vaccine-preventable diseases by making them available for routine immunisation outreach”.

Alabi, who noted that measles was one of the leading causes of illnesses and deaths among children under age five, said the campaign marked another milestone in the life-saving intervention of the government to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality.

He commended the leadership and staff of the agency for being resilient and committed to making essential health services available in all nooks and crannies of Kwara.

“As the chairman of the State Taskforce on Immunisation and PHC, I am proud of your achievements and the feats you have attained in all your immunisation campaigns this year, including coming out as the best in Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge in the north-central zone.”

Yakubu Danladi, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, charged all key stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders to give the exercise the needed support to succeed.

He commended the government for its huge investments in the health sector and how it is committed to encouraging healthy citizenry, appreciating Nusirat Elelu and development partners for their high spirits in the implementation of various health programmes in the state.

Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the commissioner for health, in her remarks, implored Kwara residents to ignore the disinformation making rounds to discredit the exercise and deter their innocent children from accessing the vaccine, affirming that the vaccine was safe for use.

“I appeal to you not to allow rumours and disinformation about the efficacy of vaccines deter you from accessing the important health intervention on behalf of our precious children. The vaccine has been confirmed to be safe by relevant authorities at many levels and using many methods and practices,” she said.