Akure, When 30-year-old Ajibola Ibukunoluwa walked into the Complete Well being Centre, Isolo in Akure South Native Authorities Space in Ondo State, she wasn’t simply bringing her three-month-old youngster for a routine immunisation shot—she was stepping right into a motion.

It was the annual African Vaccination Week (AVW), an initiative led by the World Well being Group (WHO) to advertise using vaccines to guard folks of all ages in opposition to vaccine-preventable illnesses throughout the African Area.

The commemoration was held nationwide from 24 to 30 April. 

For Ajibola, vaccination is a should, as she understands the safety it provides in opposition to vaccine-preventable illnesses equivalent to measles, yellow fever, hepatitis B, and polio, amongst others. 

“Immunisation reduces mortality in youngsters, and I am going to maintain encouraging others to get their youngsters vaccinated. The vaccination week has helped elevate consciousness amongst moms,” she stated. 

Like Ajibola, 70 different moms and caregivers gathered on the facility on 24 April 2025 to lend their voice in elevating consciousness of the significance of vaccination because the Ondo State Authorities via Ondo State Main Well being Care Improvement Company (OSPHCDA), in collaboration with WHO and key companions, together with Clinton Well being Entry Initiatives (CHAI) and UNICEF mark the 14th version of African Vaccination Week. 

With this yr’s theme, “Immunisation for all is humanly attainable,” the occasion aimed to resume public dedication to life-saving vaccines and promote equal entry for each youngster, no matter location or circumstance.

Hassan Olayinka, one other caregiver whose 9-month-old child acquired the measles, yellow fever, and meningitis vaccines on the occasion, expressed her gratitude to the federal government, WHO, and companions for making the vaccines accessible and obtainable to youngsters within the nation. 

“Immunisation is a really highly effective instrument. It prevents youngsters from falling sick. I’m pleased with the companies I acquired right now and can advise moms in my neighbourhood to take it significantly. I thank the State Authorities and companions like WHO for organising this.”

The Particular Adviser to the Governor on Well being, Professor Michael Sinmidele Odimayo, representing the state governor, known as on moms to grow to be advocates for immunisation: “Inform these ignorant about vaccination and its significance. Vaccination is a human proper.”

He highlighted the state’s well being priorities—together with free Hepatitis B therapy and the enlargement of the medical health insurance scheme. 
Delivering WHO’s goodwill message on behalf of the Nation Consultant, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, Dr Adebayo stated: “The African Vaccination Week is a reminder of WHO’s dedication to making sure each youngster has entry to life-saving vaccines.

Immunisation is a human proper, and this yr’s theme is a strong name to motion. We respect all caregivers and companions championing this trigger.”

In the course of the occasion, Professor Odimayo and Dr Adebayo administered doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Rota vaccine, and Vitamin A to eligible youngsters.

In whole, 70 youngsters had been immunised. To encourage continued participation and advocacy, all 70 caregivers acquired diapers as incentives and had been recognised as “immunisation champions.”

Additionally in attendance had been the Everlasting Secretary of the Hospitals Administration Board, Dr Ayodele Ojo Adiji; Director of Illness Management and Immunization, Dr Victor Adefesoye (representing the Govt Secretary of OSPHCDA); WHO State Coordinator (represented by Dr Ibraheem Adebayo); Ward Improvement Committee Chairman, non secular leaders, and representatives from associate organisations.

The presence of well being employees, native media, and private and non-private stakeholders added weight to the message that immunisation isn’t just a medical intervention—it’s a community-driven dedication to defending youngsters’s future.

For moms like Hassan and Ajibola, the expertise was greater than symbolic—it reaffirmed their function in safeguarding their youngsters’s well being and a testomony to the facility of collaboration between governments, communities, and international companions like WHO.