Parents and guardians in Itesiwaju Local Government have been advised to avail their wards the opportunity to receive measles vaccination during a measles vaccination exercise, being organized for children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years, in order to reduce measles and polio rates among the children.
The admonition is in line with efforts to curb the spread of the newly discovered measles called Measles Rubella as prevention is better than cure.
The awareness campaign, which is being organized to sensitize stakeholders across the council area, had in attendance community leaders, religious leaders, school principals, headmistresses, and security agencies.
The programme, sponsored by Oyo State Government through Oyo State Health Care Board in conjunction with UNICEF, WHO and other international agencies.
measles Rubella otherwise called German measles is a contagious disease that may affect children with symptoms of rashes, runny nose, cough,red and watery eyes, among others.
While speaking on the significance of the sensitization programme for parents, medical experts including the Health Education Officer, Itesiwaju Local Government, Mrs Jokanola Busayo, Asst. Health Educator Mrs Babalola E.A and Mr Ganiyu Akeem Akinyemi explained the health benefits of the vaccine.
They also highlighted the risks and diseases children may be exposed to if not given the vaccine.
They admonished the stakeholders to support the community engagement, geared towards educating the people of the society to ensure the success of the exercise.
The trio took turns to explain the stages of the campaign programme and the challenges experienced in the previous vaccination exercise.
The speakers stressed that the measles vaccination is free and children under the ages of 9 months and 14 years are the age range being targeted for the programme.
Mrs Jokanola Busayo emphasized that aside measles and polio vaccination, the exercise will also engage in Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPV) and other routen immunization programmes.
They therefore solicited for the support of the stakeholders to ensure smooth conduct and success of the vaccination exercise.
In their goodwill messages, Head of the National Orientation Agency, Itesiwaju Local Government, Mrs Omolola Amechi, Chairman; Ward Community Development, Mr Ajala Olaleke and Super for Health, Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon. Akintobi, admonished the stakeholders invited for the awareness campaign to see their call as community participation and inclusiveness.
The event also had in attendance LIO Mr Saka Akeem, Medical Director Dr Adegbaju Francis,LI DSNO Jayeoba,STF Oyetunji Habeeb and WHO representative; Aminu Oyin.
By Kaseem Jenrade