HPV/Non Polio Vaccination: Oyo Govt. UNICEF Reels Out Supplemental Immunization Integrated Activities (NPSIA) To Media
By Abisola Ariwodola,
Towards eradication of Human Papillomavirus, Polio, Measles and other preventable diseases, through vaccination, Oyo state government, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund UNICEF, and development partners has collaborated and reeled out its NPSIA campaign to media professionals in the zone.
The HPV/Non Polio Supplemental Immunization Integrated Activities (NPSIA) include: Oral Polio Vaccination for children aged 0-59 months, Routine Immunization for children aged 0-23 months, Measles Vaccination for children aged 9-59 months, Yellow fever vaccination for everyone aged 9 months to 44 years, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 9-14 years as well as Tetanus Diphtheria (TD) for Girls and Women aged 15 to 49 years.
The unification which was based on combating the lingering threat of vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria, came to fore at a one-day zonal media orientation on Non-Polio Supplemental Immunization Integrated Activities (NPSIA), campaign for the Southwest Zone and Edo State, held at Plaza De Aruna in Oyo town, Oyo State.
Addressing the gathering, which featured UNICEF and stakeholders on measles vaccination, the UNICEF Social and Behavior Change Specialist Aderonke Akinola Akinwole stated that the advocacy was on the support and commitment of the media to ensure that the correct news gets to the right targets.
She opined that on leaving children unvaccinated, “A child that is not vaccinated today poses a threat to other children tomorrow.”, adding that the source of infection could be in communal areas such as schools, playgrounds, and fields, thereby leading to devastating outbreak.
Reiterating that the media has the objective of educating the people, through accurate reporting and public sensitization, she maintained that children needs to be vaccinated and she highlighted that no child should die or get deformed because of measles which can be prevented.
Speaking further on intensifying vaccine trust and safety, for the media to inform the people on the effectiveness of getting vaccinated, the SBC also stated the partnership is to close the gap on vaccine trust and uptake across the zones population.
While positioning that safeguarding the wider community is a priority, she urged the media to educate the public, dispell myths, and encouraged parents to prioritize children’s health, saying that “Polio is a preventable disease, yet its consequences are irreversible. A simple vaccine can shield children from a lifetime of hardship,” Aderonke stated.
In his remarks, the Director of Oyo state Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Rotimi Babalola stated that the target of the partnership is the unfolding of the campaign, as all efforts is on Media to educate parents and guardians on the need to vaccinate the children.
Appealing to mothers, he added that the health officers will start moving around to immunize children and the development partners looks forward to increased participation of vaccinated children.
Talking about misinformation and myths among the people, he said this affects the people, and he reiterated that HPV/Non Polio Vaccines are safe for children, to aid their normal growth, adding that un-immunized children are prone to health risk, which is preventable.
He added that community engagement was also embarked on by the organizations, and positive response activated, so that lives will be meaningful and better for everyone especially the children.
UNICEF SBC Consultant Ogun, as well as Oyo State Health Promotion Officer, Olarinde Olaoye Samuel, in their presentations emphasized the role of media in mobilizing for participation and strengthening immunization on far-reaching impacts of polio, cautioned that “if a child comes down with polio, it could affect over 200 others in the community.”
The duo stressed that there is no cure for polio; maintained that only prevention through vaccination can stop its spread, and urged the media to go beyond headlines in highlighting the importance of vaccination to the people, while addressing rumors and misinformation.
Parents and guardians were urged to take proactive steps to ensure their children receive their full doses of vaccines, against unsanitary environments, close contact with infected individuals, and giving birth in unhygienic settings, some primary causes of infection.
Panel session was also held for the state SIOs with overview and feedback on the integrated significance of the SIAs, Goals, and targets, current status and statistics, risks, symptoms, prevention and impact, eradication efforts, prevention control, vaccination strategies among others.