The Lagos State Government has announced an emergency vaccination exercise for students of King’s College Annexe, Victoria Island, following a recent diphtheria outbreak in the school.
The Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, stating that the measure is part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
“This proactive measure is part of the government’s urgent response to curb the spread of the disease and protect public health. Senior government officials, including health experts, will be available to address media inquiries on the outbreak, ongoing containment efforts, and the broader diphtheria vaccination campaign in Lagos State,” Ogunbanwo said.
The government has also convened a meeting with key health stakeholders, including representatives from the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, to discuss containment strategies.
Meanwhile, some parents have expressed concern over the handling of the outbreak and the general sanitary conditions of the school.
A parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticised the school’s management for not acting promptly.
“If there are no cases, why are the students mandated to wear nose masks, and some of them taken to Lagos University Teaching Hospital for treatment?” the parent asked.
Another parent noted that complaints about hygiene, food quality, and medical facilities in the school had been ignored.
The school management recently sent a consent form to parents, seeking approval for students to receive diphtheria vaccinations on the school premises.
The vaccination is being carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board and Eti-Osa Local Government.
Health officials have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent further spread of the disease, while parents continue to call for better hygiene standards in the school.
