Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment at the FCT Administration (FCTA), has appealed to parents and schools in Abuja to allow vaccination teams access to children during the ongoing nationwide integrated vaccination exercise. Speaking at a news conference, she revealed that the campaign, which started on October 8 and was extended by a week, has faced refusals from some schools and parents, hampering efforts to protect children.
The vaccination drive covers measles-rubella for children aged 9 months to 14 years, polio for children up to 59 months, HPV for nine-year-old girls, as well as routine immunizations and vaccines against neglected tropical diseases and malaria. Fasawe stressed that denying children this protection disrupts public health progress and puts vulnerable kids at unnecessary risk.
She reminded the public of the Child Rights Act, which legally obliges parents and institutions to ensure full immunization of children, warning that blocking access violates fundamental child rights. Measures are underway to address the issue, including advocacy, community sensitization, and a mop-up exercise to reach unvaccinated children. Schools will now verify immunization status during admissions and maintain health registers, with non-compliance attracting sanctions.
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