August 23, 2022

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government Government, has flagged off the COVID-19 SCALES 3.0 Vaccination Campaign aimed at vaccinating the rest of the population against the COVID-19 virus.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, called on citizens to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the government to get vaccinated against the virus, noting that Lagos remains the epicentre of the pandemic since it was discovered in the country in February 2020.

Prof. Abayomi, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ibrahim Akinwummi Mustapha, said the SCALES 3.0 is a three-month strategy to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination in the State, adding that it is important for all eligible persons, aged 18 years and above, to get the jabs in order to halt the renewed spread of the virus.

According to him, the campaign is built on lessons learnt, challenges and recommendations for State-specific engagements that will address the identified implementation gaps of SCALES 2.0 and design initiatives for better performance.

The Commissioner said: “One of the major driving forces we have in the development of our strategy is the protection of our economy. We don’t want the economy to be shut down again because of any disease. We intend to ensure that the economy continues to be open for businesses. That has been our focus in Lagos”, he said.

Reiterating that the State Government has developed a robust vaccination strategy leveraging the strength of public-private partnership, Abayomi disclosed that the COVID-19 vaccines are still available in designated public and private health facilities in the 57 LGs/LCDAs in the State where first, second and booster doses are administered.

He called for the support of all stakeholders, particularly those at the grassroots, to encourage eligible residents above 18 years to get vaccinated, adding that children aged 12 years and above with parental consent and evidence of travelling abroad for school can also get vaccinated.

Prof. Abayomi expressed his appreciation to all partners involved in the vaccination campaign, reassuring all residents that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and present the best option for eradicating the pandemic.

Speaking on monkeypox, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern on the 27th of July 2022, Abayomi said the State Government has taken a lot of proactive measures by training disease surveillance officers across the metropolis on prompt testing of suspected cases and has made funds available for the exercise.

He said with the nature of the transmission of the virus, it is important for people to avoid skin-to-skin contact with people with rashes that look like monkeypox, just as they ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.

“People must wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser especially before eating”, the Commissioner advised.

The representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination and Routine Immunisation (RI) Focal Person, Sherifat Lawal, acknowledged that Lagos has reached a remarkable stretch covering 20 per cent of her population, but noted that there is a need to ramp up the numbers.

Also speaking, Lagos State Branch Secretary of the Red Cross Society, Olakunle Azeez, said the organisation had embarked on social mobilisation activities from August 2022, noting that volunteers would mobilise from markets and campuses to help ramp up the vaccination.

The Country Director, USAID-funded MRITE, Dr. Yakubu Cherima, said Lagos State has done considerably well in terms of COVID-19 vaccinations with a record 20 percent against some other States that have records below five per cent.

He, therefore, called for more responsibility on the part of others, pledging the support of his organisation to achieve the campaign’s goals and objectives.

The Baale of Marine Beach and Chairman of the State Social Mobilisation Committee in Lagos, Chief (Dr.) Joseph Omobolanle, said the mobilisation committee would continue to sensitise Lagosians, assuring that the members are resolute to work day and night to ensure the success of the campaign.