ANOTHER opportunity to increase oral polio vaccine (OPV) coverage comes with the planned Integrated Measles Campaign (IMC). Children below five years old will be vaccinated against measles and OPV at vaccination posts throughout Nigeria. Vitamin A will also be given.

The exercise will start in the Northern states this week and will run in the Southern states on December 14. All children nationwide aged 9-59 months will be targeted to receive measles vaccine and children 0-59 months to receive polio vaccine. The Roll Back Malaria partners will deliver Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs) in selected locations including Cross River State.

Nigeria has suffered major outbreaks of both measles and polio this year with over 12,400 suspected measles cases detected by the surveillance system by August. Over 202 LGAs in 25 states have experienced measles outbreaks mostly in northern states that had the last measles campaign in Dec 2005. The significant reduction in measles cases and deaths that was registered after the campaign could not be sustained because of sub-optimal routine immunization.

Of the 25 states that experienced at least one measles outbreak in 2008, 22 also had cases of polio. This confirms that many children remain unreached by both routine immunization and campaigns in these states.

Vitamin A supplementation has been proven to improve immunity to infectious diseases like measles and diarrhea. Its availability during this campaign is in line with the efforts of the Government to reduce the unacceptably high childhood mortality in the country.

The success of the 2008 campaign will depend on high political commitment and effective preparation including micro-planning, logistical preparations, selection and training of personnel and intensive social mobilization.

Any gains that are registered during the 2008 IMC will only be sustained if routine immunization performance is improved, therefore all activities should be implemented in a manner that will have a positive impact on routine immunization performance.

All stakeholders, including political, traditional, religious and community leaders, private sector, civil service organizations, mass media and the caregivers must play their part to ensure that we seize this opportunity to reduce the risk of death and disability of Nigerian children from preventable communicable diseases.