Apapa, Lagos Island, Mainland, Surulere Drive 95% Vaccination Success In Measles-Rubella Campaign

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, has disclosed that the district achieved 95 per cent coverage during the routine immunisation exercise across its four Local Government Areas — Apapa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere.
Dr. Bowale revealed that the district set a target of 1,108,811 children for the measles-rubella vaccination campaign but successfully immunised 1,056,908 children aged between 0 and 14 years. He noted that the performance earned the district a 95 per cent rating on the state’s measles-rubella vaccination summary table.
He emphasised that the measles and rubella vaccines are vital in protecting children against highly contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases. According to him, the vaccines provide long-lasting immunity, prevent severe complications such as pneumonia, blindness and encephalitis, and significantly reduce mortality rates.
The Permanent Secretary added that the vaccines also prevent rubella-induced birth defects, enhance community protection and are essential in preventing disease outbreaks.
In her remarks, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Titilayo Oni, presented the breakdown of the vaccination figures across the Local Government Areas.
She disclosed that Apapa Local Government vaccinated 111,854 children; Lagos Island, 209,740; Lagos Mainland, 266,190; and Surulere, 469,124.
Dr. Oni explained that the cumulative figures accounted for the district’s 95 per cent coverage recorded during the routine measles and rubella immunisation exercise.
It will be recalled that the Lagos State Government flagged off the measles and rubella vaccination campaign across local governments in the state in January.
Measles and rubella are contagious viral infections characterised by rash and fever, though caused by different viruses. While measles is often severe and associated with high fever, rubella is generally milder but poses serious risks during pregnancy, including birth defects. Both diseases are preventable through vaccination.
The measles and rubella vaccination campaign targets children aged 0 to 14 years across all communities under the jurisdiction of Health District IV, with the goal of safeguarding children and preventing potential outbreaks within the district.