The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Republic of Korea, is set to roll out a comprehensive vaccination drive aimed at reaching children who have missed routine immunizations. The campaign, which runs through December, targets unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in selected communities, with a focus on boosting routine immunization coverage and reinforcing primary healthcare delivery.
During an orientation session on Thursday at Oke-Mosan, Elijah Ogunsola, Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development Board, emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing child health outcomes. He expressed gratitude to development partners, especially UNICEF, for their ongoing support in strengthening immunization efforts. The campaign will prioritize children aged zero to 23 months, ensuring they receive essential life-saving vaccines.
Ogunsola noted that the outreach will be implemented in local government areas and underserved communities where immunization rates are low. The program will involve coordinated efforts among health workers, community mobilizers, and development partners to maximize reach and impact.
Micheal Oyediji, a UNICEF Local Vaccine Consultant, praised health workers and stakeholders for their dedication to improving immunization coverage. He highlighted that the ROK-UNICEF project will support selected health facilities, integrate regular outreach, and strengthen monitoring systems. It will also prioritize HPV vaccination, improve cold chain infrastructure, and enhance community mobilization to ensure no eligible child is left behind.
Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Lagos, stated that the intervention will strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, support routine immunization delivery, and rebuild public confidence in healthcare services, especially at the grassroots level. She underscored that reaching zero-dose children is a national development priority, as healthy children are crucial for human capital development, productivity, and social stability.
Lee Sang Ho, Consul General of the Republic of Korea, noted that Nigeria’s high number of unvaccinated children poses a serious threat to global health security, justifying Korea’s investment under the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator framework. He described immunization as a critical component of national development and urged mothers, community leaders, and healthcare workers to support the campaign, stressing that no child should be denied protection against preventable diseases due to distance, ignorance, or socio-cultural barriers.