The wife of the Kwara state governor, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, has affirmed the importance of routine vaccination in the prevention and transmission of diseases.

Mrs Abdulrazaq said this during an awareness and advocacy walk for the measles and Rubella vaccine introduction, which was organised by her office on Friday in Ilorin.

Mrs AbdulRazaq, represented by the commissioner for women affairs, Oluwakemi Afolashade, cited reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which showed that measles and Rubella were highly contagious and viral diseases.

According to WHO, in spite of the availability of safe and effective vaccines, the diseases remained a major cause of death, especially among young children globally.

Mrs AbdulRazaq said the diseases could also lead to adverse outcomes, such as blindness, pneumonia and encephalitis, if not prevented and treated early.

“I commend the Kwara Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration for putting the healthcare system on the frontline of action and also making it accessible to the people by providing free measles and rubella vaccination in all primary healthcare outlets in the state.

“I enjoin individuals, including children, adults and pregnant women, to present themselves for routine vaccination for a disease-free society,” she said.

Staff of the ministry of women affairs, primary healthcare agency, members of the Red Cross, members of the Girls Brigade, and religious and political groups, among others, were present at the walk.

(NAN)