The Lagos State Government says
it has uncovered plot by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to administer
harmful vaccines on children to disrupt the ongoing Polio vaccination in the
state.
The government called for report
of any suspicion about the implementation of any of the state or national
immunisation campaigns to the nearest local government, the Ministry of
Education or the Ministry of Health or via 08023020581.
This was contained in a statement
on Tuesday night by Dr Jide Lawal, the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare
Board.
Lawal said that the organisation,
which he did not name, was going round schools in the state to administer
vaccines believed to be harmful to children.
He said that the state Ministry
of Health had commenced investigation into the allegation.
According to him, the ministry
suspected the sabotage was intended to disrupt the ongoing polio immunisation
campaign.
“The move by the NGO is intended
to thwart other efforts of the state government in maintaining 100 per cent
immunisation coverage of eligible children as well as maintain the ‘polio free
status’ attained since 2009.
“For the purpose of clarity, it
is important to mention that safety of lives and wellbeing of citizens are of
utmost importance to the state government and all efforts are geared toward
protecting the citizenry.
“Hence, we wish to emphasise that
oral polio vaccine is free, safe and effective in protecting children against
polio.
“We will also like to assure you
that the administration of this vaccine is not hazardous or dangerous to humans
as being erroneously propagated.
“In fact, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) recommends that all children below the age of five years get
this vaccine for protection against polio, “ Lawal said.
He said that the benefits of
receiving the polio vaccination and other scheduled immunisations were
numerous.
“Good health and survival of
children have been associated with immunisation, because it reduces disability,
morbidity and mortality.
“It also contributes to lowering
the incidence of diseases and results in less frequent visits to health
facilities.
“Immunisation remains the most
cost-effective and efficient child survival strategy for children who are the
future of the nation.
“Also, this informs our
unrelenting efforts in protecting our children from the vaccine-preventable
killer diseases,” he said.
Lawal urged stakeholders,
including parents, political and religious leaders, civil society organisations
and mass media to ensure that children under five years were immunised free of
charge.
He said, “This is to ensure that
we reduce the risk of death and disability from vaccine-preventable diseases
such as polio.”
He said the current vaccination
campaign against polio was being conducted by the National Primary Healthcare
Development Agency, state Ministry of Health and Lagos State Primary Healthcare
Board.
According to him, this is in
partnership with health development partners such as World Health Organisation
(WHO) United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) CDC-AFENET and Rotary .
“While the state collaborates
with NGOs, the administration of vaccines is the sole responsibility of health
workers trained to conduct the exercise.
“The public is, therefore,
enjoined to be vigilant and authenticate the identity of immunisation
officers.”
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