The Ogun State Government has assured residents of adequate funding and logistics for the statewide measles and rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to run from January 27 to February 5, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare and child survival.

Deputy Governor Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele gave the assurance on Friday during a meeting of the State Task Force on Primary Health Care held in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Salako-Oyedele, who chairs the task force, said all necessary arrangements were being finalised to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the immunisation exercise.

She commended the Ministry of Health, development partners and other stakeholders for their sustained support of the state’s primary healthcare system, with particular praise for UNICEF. According to her, UNICEF’s provision of ambulance boats for riverine communities has significantly improved access to healthcare services in hard-to-reach areas despite logistical challenges.

Reaffirming the commitment of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the deputy governor said the state would continue to prioritise all primary healthcare interventions. She acknowledged challenges raised in the task force report and assured that they would be escalated to the governor for urgent attention.

Salako-Oyedele also called on religious organisations, community associations, women groups, the National Orientation Agency and the media to intensify public sensitisation ahead of the campaign. She urged stakeholders to strategically deploy social media platforms and influencers to effectively reach parents, caregivers and young people.

“The state government will do everything necessary to ensure the success of the measles–rubella campaign. The request for funding has been made, and we are confident it will be approved promptly,” she said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said the meeting reviewed progress made in primary healthcare delivery while aligning strategies for the upcoming immunisation exercise. She commended development partners, religious leaders and community organisations for their continued collaboration with the state government.

In his presentation, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, disclosed that the 10-day campaign would target children aged nine months to 14 years across the state. He described the exercise as one of the widest age-range vaccination campaigns, noting that more than 8,000 health workers would be deployed to ensure comprehensive coverage.

A representative of UNICEF, Florence Moloku, praised the state government’s commitment to the campaign and reaffirmed the organisation’s pledge to provide continued technical and financial support.

As the campaign approaches, the government and its partners say intensified community engagement and adequate resourcing will be critical to protecting children and reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in Ogun State.