Vaccination has been described as one of the assured means of preventing morbidity and mortality in both adults and children, hence the need to raise awareness of the significant role of vaccines in human health and well-being.

The Ogun State Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Oluwatoyin Ojediran made this known at the flag off ceremony organized in commemoration of the year 2023 African Vaccination Week (AVW), held in Obafemi Owode Local Government Secretariat, Owode, saying the week is an opportunity to highlight the collective action needed to protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases in Ogun state and Nigeria as a whole.

According to Dr. Ojediran, the 2023 edition with the theme, “The Big Catch-Up”, would focus on providing access to the vaccination of about 33 million children who missed their immunization schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that WHO is committed to working with governments and partners to support countries to get back on track to ensure that more people and children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The WHO state Coordinator who appreciated the efforts of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration at ensuring the wellbeing of residents through the various interventions, called on all stakeholders present to work assiduously at restoring essential immunisation coverage as well as strengthen primary health care, emphasising that the goal of the week was to ensure that more children and the entire community are protected from vaccine preventable diseases.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, said that the present administration remained committed at providing qualitative and affordable health for all, urging all stakeholders to spread the gospel of childhood vaccination against diseases throughout corridors of the state.

Represented by the Director of Primary Health, Dr. Salimat Sanni, Ogunsola pointed out that nutrition and facility utilization are other interventions put in place to ensure the wellbeing of residents, adding that the state would also implement Routine Immunisation Intensification Program (RIIP) to ensure that no child is missed.

In his address, the Chairman, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Hon. Adesina Ogunsola represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Kayode Dipeolu appreciated the state government and WHO for prioritising the health of children in all their programmes, noting that it had reduced child morbidity and mortality rate in the state.

In their separate contributions, the Head of Local Government Administration, Obafemi Owode LG, Mr. Fatai Ogunde, the Representative, National Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Victoria Adebiyi and the Medical Officer Of Health, Dr. Akisanya Otuyalo said the importance of vaccination cannot be over emphasised, advising parents and caregivers to seize every available opportunity to get themselves and children immunised against vaccine preventable diseases.

In their separate notes of appreciation, Mrs Odunayo Ganiu and Elizabeth Mubati commended the Ogun state government and WHO for giving priority to the wellbeing of their children, promising to encourage others to embrace vaccination as a means of protection against diseases.