••• Says Such Schools Are Enemies of the Child, Govt
The Ondo State Government has issued a stern warning to school proprietors who insist on parental consent forms before allowing children to be vaccinated, describing the practice as sabotage of government health policies and a threat to child welfare.
The State Government threatened that such schools would be sanctioned for sabotaging the government’s efforts.
The warning was issued by the Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Victor Adefesoye, during an interview on Positive FM on Saturday as monitored by Roving Reporters.
Dr. Adefesoye said the ongoing insistence on consent letters by some schools undermines the state’s free immunization campaign and endangers children, especially those under five.
“Any school proprietor or teacher insisting on consent forms before a child can be vaccinated is not helping that child and not helping the government,” he said.
“That person is, in fact, becoming the number one enemy of that child and an enemy of a government that is working tirelessly to protect its citizens.”
According to him, the Ondo State Government has invested huge resources in making vaccines available, potent, free of charge, and accessible to every child across communities, schools, churches, and homes.
“If the government has done its own part by making vaccines available, providing logistics, human resources, and cold-chain systems, anyone standing in the way is actively sabotaging government efforts,” he added.
Dr. Adefesoye stressed that vaccination is a child’s right, not a privilege that should be delayed by administrative bottlenecks.
“It is the right of every child to be healthy, and it is the responsibility of government to ensure that children, especially those under five, are protected,” he said.
He warned that there are sanctions for individuals or institutions obstructing healthcare workers during vaccination exercises.
“There are punishments in place for anyone obstructing health workers from vaccinating children. This is not optional; it is a public health responsibility.”
Drawing from past public health emergencies, Dr. Adefesoye recalled how outbreaks had previously forced school closures.
“During the Lassa fever outbreak in one of our institutions, affected pupils had to be isolated, schools were shut down, and facilities fumigated,” he said.
“If such closures happen again, the same school proprietors will accuse the government of being unfair.”
He also dismissed widespread myths surrounding vaccines.
“Children who have been vaccinated are not growing horns, wings, or losing limbs,” he said.
“They are healthy, active, and protected.”
Dr. Adefesoye urged parents to take advantage of the free vaccination exercise, noting that it saves families from the heavy cost of medical treatment.
“Vaccination will save parents money, reduce hospital visits, and give them peace of mind knowing their children are protected,” he said.
He explained that vaccination teams are currently moving through schools, churches, communities, and homes, adding that routine immunization will continue at health centres after the campaign.
“These vaccines will be routinized and remain available at our health facilities across the state,” he assured.
He concluded with a call to collective responsibility.
“These children belong not only to their parents today, but to the future of this state and the nation. Let us allow them to grow healthy and strong.”
