This exercise , commences with the following local government areas , Alimosho , Agege , Ajeromi , Ojo , Amuwo Odofin , Lagos Mainland , Ikorodu , Lagos Island , Epe and Mushin from  15 to 22, March 2018 while from March 22 to 29 , 2018 , MVC will kick off in Ikeja , Ifako , Apapa , Badagry , Oshodi /Isolo , Surulere , Somolu , kosofe , Eti Osa and Ibeju.

 This campaign is significant as it is expected to accelerate the Lagos state government and its partners effort to meet the coverage target of 95% as against the nation’s average of 84.5% in 2015 which is not good enough to reduce the burden of the disease hence measles incidence and outbreaks continued till today.

Also launching this MVC with one day orientation workshop for journalists with the aim of  vaccinating  3.6 million children in Lagos , once again demonstrates the Lagos state Primary Health Care Board’s commitment to improve health and wellbeing of its people by protecting children against vaccine preventable diseases.

Speaking during event , the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Iyabo Aare assured that the campaign would take place in all health facilities in the state and designated posts in communities.

She explained that irrespective of previous vaccination history, children of nine months to five years, are eligible to receive , adding that the vaccine is free , safe ,very effective in preventing measles and also  available at government health centres and various designated vaccination posts.

Observing that that one of the challenges of  not achieving optimal coverage are due to some resistance by some groups, including churches, mosques and estates where vaccinators were not allowed to vaccinate children, Aare , called on  parents and caregivers (Mothers, Fathers, grand parents, Uncles, Aunties) to bring out this target age group children to the nearest healthcare centre for the vaccination or and other designated posts.

Giving an overview of measles situation in Nigeria , Dr Charles Nwosisi, Health Specialist,

 UNICEF, disclosed that despite India’s estimated population of 1.2 billion , and Nigeria projected population of 180 million , the burden of measles in the two countries are the same , so this suggests that the disease burden is more in Nigeria.

” the Nigeria burden is on the rise despite various interventions in the last 7 years . There is steady rise in the number of suspected cases annually with the country recording 15, 148 suspected cases as at week 29, 2017″.

He said: “This 2017/2018 campaign has been tagged: ”Catch-up” campaign; it is to mop-up or reach children that have been missed over the years, so as to meet the 95 per cent target coverage.”