Oyo State government in its effort to curtail the deaths of infants, especially the children from the age 1-5 partnered with other critical stakeholders to sensitize parents, especially the mothers who are residents of Ibadan metropolis on the importance of vaccination for their babies.
The mothers were advised to always get their children vaccinated whenever the opportunity comes to prevent them from some of the diseases that can lead to death of their children.
Speaking at a day programme commemorating ‘The African Vaccination Week’ organized by Oyo State Government through its Primary Health Care Board in collaboration with other stakeholders such as UNICEF, WHO, and NPHCDA among others, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji stressed that a lot of deaths of children can be prevented through timely vaccinations.
Dr. Olatunji, represented by the Director of Logistics of the Board, Mr Kehinde Olabode at the event that was held at the Oranyan Primary Health Center in Ibadan South East Local Government area , urged mothers present to always keep their vaccination cards, noting that such cards are going to be very useful for their children in the nearest future.
He said, “Vaccination has prevented a lot of sudden deaths of our children, that is why the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed it fit to get us African Vaccination Week with the aim of reminding us that vaccination is very important.”
“Though we are not really doing enough when it comes to vaccination but now we must ensure we get our children vaccinated, it doesn’t kill, it enhances our children’s well-being, and also boost their intelligent quotient, we must collect our cards whenever we get our children vaccinated, not only that we must keep these cards because it is going to be useful for them in the nearest future and if you don’t have it then you will have to pay for it, so it is very important to have it free of charge now as you’re getting the vaccines for them free of charge.” Olatunji said.
In their separate remarks, the Social Behavioral Change (SBC), a consultant for the UNICEF, Dr Olatunji Samuel, the Deputy Director of NPHCDA in Oyo State, Alhasan Babatunde Paul, who represented the State Coordinator, Mrs Atinuke Ogundare at the event, Dr Zorto Philip, the State Coordinator for WHO urged mothers in attendance to always prioritise the health of their children.
He charged them to always take advantage of vaccination exercises to get their children vaccinated, saying that vaccination goes a long way in preventing various diseases that can lead to untimely and sudden deaths of children.
