The Kwara government, on Tuesday, appealed to parents and guardians to ensure their children and wards receive the measles-rubella vaccination.

Nusirat Elelu, the executive secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, stated this during a news conference organised ahead of the Measles-Rubella (MR) immunisation coming up on October 11.

The MR vaccine protects against measles and rubella.

It is a live-attenuated vaccine, which weakens the viruses to stimulate the immune system to produce protective antibodies.

Rubella can cause serious birth defects if contracted during pregnancy, while measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease.

Ms Elelu explained that events have been lined up aimed at sensitising, mobilising and encouraging full public participation ahead of the MR vaccination campaign scheduled to commence across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.

She reaffirms the state government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of every child in Kwara and urges residents to actively participate in the forthcoming activities to help protect the health and well-being of children across the state.

According to her, the campaign is part of the present administration’s sustained efforts to reduce the burden of preventable diseases.

She, therefore, called on parents, caregivers, community leaders and all stakeholders to support the exercise and ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated.

The executive secretary appreciated the strong collaboration of partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, among other development partners.

Ms Elelu commended their continued support to Kwara State in strengthening immunisation and primary healthcare delivery.

The activities for the mass immunisation will kick off with a novelty football match on October 8 at the Kwara Football Academy.

This will be followed by the official flag-off ceremony to be performed by the wife of the governor of Kwara, Olufolake AbdulRazaq.

(NAN)