Vaccination On going at King’s College, Lagos as students, staff receive vaccination as part of containment efforts
In a swift response to the recent diphtheria outbreak at King’s College Annexe, Victoria Island, the Lagos State Government has commenced an emergency vaccination exercise to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease and safeguard public health. The vaccination campaign aims to protect students, staff and the wider school community while reinforcing public health measures to prevent further infections.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, led a delegation of top government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, to the school for a comprehensive assessment of the situation and to oversee the vaccination exercise, emphasising the urgency of the intervention.
“We were very concerned about what’s going on at King’s College Annexe – an outbreak of diphtheria fever that has been ongoing for about 10 days. Unfortunately, the first case led to a tragic loss. However, since identifying the outbreak, we have screened affected students, placed them on antibiotics and anti-serum, and I am pleased to report that all those receiving treatment are doing well,” he stated.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, in the company of the government delegation, school management, PTA executives and some members of the school alumni association, inspected critical facilities within the school, including the dormitories, classrooms, kitchen, dining hall, sanitary areas, and waste disposal units as part of containment measures.
While noting that the objective of the inspection tour was to evaluate risk factors and enforce improvements to sanitary conditions to reduce the chances of bacterial transmission, the Commissioner highlighted the role of crowded and poorly ventilated environments in the spread of diphtheria, which is transmitted via airborne droplets.
“This disease thrives in crowded environments with poor ventilation. We have spoken with the school authorities to ensure proper spacing between students, improve airflow in classrooms and dormitories, and enhance access to clean water. These are fundamental to halting transmission,” he explained.
outbreaks.
“We want to reassure the public that we are on top of this situation. Our goal is to protect Lagosians and prevent avoidable loss of life. We urge everyone to adhere to public health guidelines and get vaccinated,” Prof. Abayomi reiterated.
The Commissioner, on behalf of the Governor and the Lagos State Executive Council, expressed heartfelt condolences to the parents and family of the deceased student, offering prayers for strength during this difficult time.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy who passed away. His loss is truly devastating, and we pray for strength and comfort for his loved ones,” Prof. Abayomi stated.
With vaccination efforts in full swing, the Lagos State Government remains committed to containing the outbreak and safeguarding the health of students and residents. The public is encouraged to cooperate with health officials and embrace preventive measures to halt the spread of diphtheria across the state.
