Journalists have been tasked with reportage of measles vaccination as October “Measles Integrated Campaign” is about to begin in Oyo state.
Speaking in Ibadan during a day orientation meeting for the campaign, the Program Manager, Oyo State Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Center, Dr. Adeyemi Adewole, urged journalists to spread information on the measles vaccination campaign to trigger positive results.
He noted that there is no health intervention without few side effects, urging journalists to desist from reports that would have a negative effect on the vaccination campaign.
“Though the vaccine has been tested and subjected to medical trial over the years, let’s be factual in reporting the side effect of the vaccination, if there is any, bring it to the awareness of the experts so that they can do the needful.
“The measles vaccination is injection unlike that of polio which is oral. We want to solicit media cooperation, we are still recording outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles which calls for mass vaccination campaign.”
Johnson Osoko while speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muyideen Olatunji, said the role of media in health care service delivery cannot be overemphasised.
The representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Oyo State office, Dr. Bukola Alawale said measles is highly contagious and one of the vaccine-preventable diseases.
She said WHO is going to leverage the integrated campaign vaccination to reduce mortality and mobility across the state most especially in children.
She however urged the media to passed right information so that people in the state particularly children can be healthier.