Mrs Makinde Rallies Stakeholders for Child Measles, Rubella Campaign Vaccination

…As Vaccination targets children aged 9 months to 15 years with lifesaving vaccines

The wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, has called on parents, caregivers, community leaders, and healthcare workers to intensify efforts in promoting measles and rubella vaccination across the state.

Mrs. Makinde made the appeal during a sensitization program held at the Local Government Staff Training Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan. The event, an initiative of the Renewed Hope Initiative, aims to boost awareness and uptake of vaccines to prevent measles and rubella, especially among children.

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the First Lady urged stakeholders to support government efforts to curb deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among children aged five and below.

“As mothers and leaders in our communities, we must ensure every child receives the necessary vaccination to prevent avoidable deaths,” she said. She also charged the wives of chairmen from all 33 local government areas in the state to take the campaign door-to-door, ensuring no child is left behind.

In her welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, emphasized that measles remains one of the leading causes of child mortality globally. She also noted that rubella poses severe risks, particularly for pregnant women.

“Rubella can result in lifelong complications such as visual impairment, congenital blindness, deafness, and mental and growth retardation,” she said. “These are not just personal tragedies but burdens on families and entire communities.”

Dr. Ajetunmobi acknowledged challenges such as lack of awareness and cultural beliefs that discourage vaccination. She reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that no child dies from vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to her, the vaccination campaign targets children aged 9 months to 15 years and includes integrated child health interventions such as vitamin A supplementation.

The campaign is part of ongoing efforts by the Oyo State Government to safeguard child health and reduce under-five mortality through strategic public health initiatives.