May 22, (THEWILL) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has cautioned parents and guardians against resorting to auxiliary nurses and unregistered medical practitioners when managing post-vaccination reactions in children.
The warning was issued on Wednesday by UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, during a Social and Behavioural Change Committee (SBCC) meeting held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Akinola-Akinwole emphasised the health risks associated with seeking medical help outside registered healthcare facilities and urged parents to return to the vaccination centres for proper and free treatment should their children experience any adverse reactions.
“The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. While it is rare, some children may react to it. In such cases, we strongly advise parents to return to the same facility where the vaccine was administered. Treatment will be provided free of charge,” she said.
“Parents should not consult unregistered practitioners or auxiliary nurses. Doing so puts their children at greater risk. Every child deserves professional medical care, especially in sensitive cases like vaccine reactions. They can also call the number provided on the vaccination card to seek guidance,” she added.
She also appealed to parents, religious leaders, and community heads to support vaccination efforts and allow their children and wards access to life-saving immunisations.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Adesina, urged stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment and behavioural change campaigns, particularly around childhood vaccination.
He said, “The partnership between the Ministry of Information and Strategy and UNICEF exemplifies what can be achieved when vision meets commitment. Over the years, this collaboration has helped address critical challenges faced by mothers and children, regardless of social status.”
“This platform, formerly known as the State Social Mobilisation and Technical Committee (S-SOMTEC) Meeting, has been instrumental in shaping government policies to ensure that interventions reach the grassroots and positively impact children’s lives.”
Earlier, Programme Director, Alhaja Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts in tackling issues affecting women and children in local communities.
“As we refine our focus on Social and Behavioural Change, we reaffirm our commitment not only to raising awareness but to inspiring lasting and transformative change at the grassroots level,” she said.
