In Epe Division, vaccination is increasingly being treated not just as a medical routine but as a strategic investment in the future of the community. Across Epe Local Government and its LCDAs, health officials and political leaders are strengthening immunisation campaigns to protect children and vulnerable residents from preventable diseases.
Vaccination involves administering approved vaccines to help the body develop protection against infectious diseases. Globally, the World Health Organization states that vaccines prevent between 3 million and 5 million deaths every year.
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WHO also maintains that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, reducing hospitalisations, long-term disability and child mortality.
However, coverage gaps remain a concern. WHO and UNICEF estimates show that in 2024, over 14 million children worldwide received no vaccines at all. Nigeria accounts for a significant share of these zero-dose children.
National survey data indicates that about 31% of Nigerian children aged 12–23 months have not received any routine vaccine, while only 39% are fully vaccinated with basic antigens.
To close these gaps, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in partnership with Gavi, WHO and UNICEF, launched a nationwide integrated vaccination campaign targeting over 109 million children.
The focus includes measles-rubella, polio and HPV vaccines. Federal data shows that expanded immunisation campaigns have helped reduce polio cases drastically compared to previous decades, and measles outbreaks are significantly lower in areas with high coverage.
In Lagos State, recent immunisation drives recorded coverage of about 89% of targeted children during state-wide campaigns. Health authorities say this reflects growing public awareness and improved access to services.
For rural communities like Epe, vaccination has direct social and economic implications. Fishing, farming, trading and artisan work form the backbone of the local economy.
When preventable diseases spread, school attendance drops and families spend limited income on treatment. Studies across rural Nigeria show that communities with higher vaccination coverage experience lower child mortality rates and reduced healthcare expenses.
In Epe Local Government, Executive Chairman Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun has sustained support for maternal and child health programmes, strengthening outreach services and encouraging parents to complete routine immunisation schedules.
Community engagement initiatives under her leadership have helped increase attendance at primary healthcare centres.
At Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Hon. Wale Anomo has backed sensitisation campaigns, particularly in riverine settlements where access can be challenging.
Health workers often travel by boat to deliver vaccines free of charge, ensuring that hard-to-reach populations are not excluded.
In Eredo LCDA, Hon. Monsuru Akinloye continues to align healthcare delivery with grassroots development, supporting immunisation exercises and local awareness campaigns.
Community response in Epe has been gradually improving. Health officials report better turnout during outreach campaigns, particularly when traditional rulers, religious leaders and community development associations are involved in mobilisation. Their endorsement has strengthened public trust.
Yet, some fears persist. Common concerns include misinformation about vaccine safety, fear of side effects, rumours linking vaccines to infertility, and distrust of government programmes.
Public health studies in Nigeria show that such fears, combined with access barriers and logistical challenges, contribute to incomplete vaccination schedules.
WHO continues to emphasise that vaccines used in national programmes undergo strict safety and effectiveness testing. Mild side effects such as temporary fever or swelling are normal immune responses, while serious adverse reactions are rare.
For Epe, where markets, festivals and religious gatherings draw large crowds, herd immunity remains crucial.
When a high percentage of the population is immunised, disease transmission drops significantly, protecting newborns, the elderly and people with weaker immune systems.
Local government authorities, health workers and community leaders in Epe Division are therefore championing vaccination not only as a health measure but as a community protection strategy.
With sustained public education, improved access to primary healthcare services and strong grassroots leadership, Epe is positioning itself as a model for how rural communities can strengthen immunisation coverage.
A fully immunised Epe means healthier children, stronger families and a more productive local economy.
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