The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has flagged off the Covid-19 Scales 3.0 vaccination campaign aimed at vaccinating the rest of the population against the COVID-19 virus.
While speaking at the flag-off ceremony held in Ikeja, the Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, urged 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, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ibrahim Akinwummi Mustapha, said 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.
Reiterating that the State Government has developed a robust vaccination strategy leveraging the strength of the 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.
He then assured all residents that the Covid-19 vaccines are safe and present the best option for eradicating the pandemic.
Meanwhile, speaking on the recent spread of monkeypox, 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 then added that 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.
