20.3m residents received yellow fever vaccine in 2024- LASG

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Lagos State government has revealed that 20,366,405 residents have received the yellow fever vaccine, with the state achieving 95 per cent coverage.

The state government said 3,595,461 children were vaccinated against measles, representing 85 per cent coverage, while 163,553 eligible persons were vaccinated against HPV.

Supervising Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Abimbola Bowale, disclosed this on Tuesday when speaking on the state’s immunisation activities.

Bowale said the state immunisation efforts were bolstered by large-scale social mobilisation activities, which reached over 21 million people and strengthened health systems through enhanced cold chain capacity and workforce training.

The Permanent Secretary added that despite its successes, the campaign faced notable challenges with delays in funds for logistics, and vaccine supply disrupted timelines, while limited cold chain storage and logistics infrastructure posed operational constraints.

He further said: “Persistent misinformation and vaccine hesitancy further hindered uptake in some communities. However, these challenges underscored the importance of data-driven planning, real-time monitoring, and adaptive strategies.

“Key lessons from the campaign include the critical role of high-level advocacy and stakeholder engagement in driving public health initiatives.

“Data-driven decision-making and community-led mobilization strategies emerged as effective tools for improving vaccine acceptance and coverage. Moving forward, the campaign’s achievements provide a robust framework for future integrated immunization efforts.

“The 2024 Integrated SIA campaign exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in advancing public health goals. Its success underscores the importance of sustained political commitment, community engagement, and data-driven approaches in addressing the persistent challenges of vaccine-preventable diseases. This success is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of all Lagosians,” Bowale stated.