The Oyo State Government has urged health structures and key stakeholders to support the upcoming Sub-National Immunization Plus Days (SNIPDs) for children aged 0 to 59 months.
The appeal was made by the Director of Health Promotion at the State Ministry of Health, Mr. Samuel Olarinde, during a sensitization meeting with education stakeholders and faith-based organizations in Ibadan.
Olarinde highlighted the critical role of community structures in vaccination campaigns, noting that the success of the immunization exercise depends heavily on their cooperation.
He said Christian and Muslim leaders, the National Orientation Agency, private and public school representatives, and security agencies all serve as vital gatekeepers in ensuring that eligible children are reached.
“All eligible children aged 0–59 months are under their care. That is why we brought all key stakeholders together to support the implementation of the programme,” he said.
Olarinde explained that the meeting aimed to create awareness and prepare communities for the health intervention. He added that stakeholders would be expected to take the message back to their constituencies to increase public awareness.
He disclosed that vaccination teams would cover all eligible children across the 351 wards in the state’s 33 local government areas during the exercise, scheduled for November 29 to December 2.
The director acknowledged common challenges faced during previous campaigns, including hesitancy and refusal, particularly in private schools where some parents declined consent for vaccination.
“This is why we are engaging early, so that school proprietors can seek parents’ consent ahead of the upcoming polio immunization,” he said.
In her remarks, the Social and Behavioral Change Consultant for Polio, Mrs. Felicia Oluwafemi, urged stakeholders to continue supporting immunization efforts.
While commending their contributions in previous rounds, she emphasized the need for community ownership, noting that sustainability is only possible when communities treat the programme as their own.
