The Lagos State Government has begun an emergency vaccination exercise against diphtheria at King’s College, Lagos, following an outbreak of the disease.
The exercise, which targets students and staff of the school, aims to prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease.
Top government officials, including the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), visited the school to assess the situation and oversee the vaccination campaign.
The team inspected key facilities, including the school’s kitchen, dining hall, dormitories, classrooms, sickbay, sanitary areas, and waste disposal units, to identify potential risk factors and reinforce preventive measures.
Abayomi urged students to adopt proper handwashing habits and report any symptoms of diphtheria promptly. He reassured parents that the government is actively managing the situation and discouraged them from withdrawing their children from school.
The vaccination campaign is ongoing, with medical teams working to immunize as many students and staff as possible. Health officials have also ramped up awareness efforts within the school community to ensure students, parents, and teachers understand the symptoms, risks, and preventive measures for diphtheria.
