The Lagos State Government has launched an emergency vaccination exercise at King’s College Annexe, Victoria Island, to curb the spread of diphtheria among students and staff.
On Tuesday, top state government officials, alongside representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), visited the school to assess the situation and oversee the vaccination campaign.
The delegation included the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; and Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam.
During the visit, officials inspected key facilities such as the school’s kitchen, dining hall, dormitories, classrooms, sickbay, sanitary areas, and waste disposal units to identify risk factors and strengthen preventive measures.
The intervention, led by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Board, underscores the government’s commitment to containing the disease. Addressing students, Prof. Abayomi stressed the importance of personal and environmental hygiene, urging them to practice proper handwashing and report any symptoms immediately.
He reassured parents that the government is actively managing the situation and discouraged withdrawing students, warning that such actions could complicate containment efforts. The vaccination campaign targets all students (with parental consent) and school staff to create a protective barrier against the disease.
Prof. Abayomi advised the public to remain vigilant for symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing and to report suspected cases to the nearest healthcare center. He also addressed concerns about vaccine side effects, noting that while mild to moderate reactions are possible, they are rare and manageable, with medical personnel on standby to assist.
The school’s Principal, Mr. Zachariah Magaji, along with the PTA Chairman and alumni representatives, participated in the facility tour and vaccination drive. The exercise is ongoing, with health teams working swiftly to immunize as many people as possible.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has pledged continued collaboration with federal and state health agencies to monitor the situation and provide additional resources as needed. Health officials have intensified awareness campaigns within the school to educate students, parents, and teachers on diphtheria symptoms, risks, and prevention strategies.
The government also urged residents to take advantage of the state’s free immunization programs and adhere to public health advisories to prevent further outbreaks. It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and response mechanisms across all schools and communities in Lagos State.
