By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that it will sanction any one found preventing children in both public and private schools from participating in the ongoing vaccination exercise against measles amd rubela In accordance with the existing public health and education regulations.
This was made known by the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat FCTA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe during the press conference organised by Secretariat in Abuja.
She said the enforcement drive aligns with provisions of the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003, which mandates full immunization as a legal obligation for every child.
“Denying a child access to vaccination is not merely an administrative lapse; it is a violation of a fundamental child right,” “Sections 13 and 14 of the CRA place a clear responsibility on parents, guardians, and institutions to ensure no child is left unprotected from preventable diseases”, Fasawe said.
According to her, the decision follows reports that several schools refused access to vaccination teams during the ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign, disrupting field activities and denying many eligible pupils vital protection.
She commended the progress made in the vaccination exercise, which has successfully covered most of the target population through the combined efforts of the FCTA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners.
Dr. Fasawe noted that the FCT introduced an innovative approach to drive uptake by linking immunization to health insurance enrollment.
The FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), she said, also supported over 600 vaccination teams across the six area councils with reflective jackets and logistical backing.
“Immunization is safe, effective, and essential for protecting every child,” It is a collective responsibility, a legal duty, and a moral imperative. Together, we can ensure that no child in the FCT is denied protection from preventable diseases”, she added.
However, to address the issue of non-compliance, she said the secretariat has compiled a list of erring schools and initiated targeted advocacy and sensitization efforts.
Adding that letters has been issued to affected institutions, while a three-day mop-up campaign involving 132 vaccination teams will be conducted to reach unvaccinated children.
