Nasarawa Targets 1.3m Children for Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign

The Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA) has announced plans to vaccinate over 1.3 million children across the state against measles and rubella, as part of an integrated Polio-Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to run from October 6 to 16, 2025.

Speaking during a media dialogue in Lafia on Friday, the State Health Educator, Ishaya Amegwa, said the exercise targets 1,372,000 children aged 9 months to 14 years across the 13 Local Government Areas. He urged the media to intensify advocacy to help eliminate measles and rubella by 2030, stressing that the vaccines are safe, effective, and free of charge.

UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Luqman Ahmed, disclosed that the state’s campaign would officially launch in Akwanga LGA on October 7. He appealed to traditional and religious leaders to mobilize communities for participation, emphasizing that no child should be left unvaccinated.

Dr. Ahmed explained that integrating the polio, measles, and rubella vaccines into a single campaign would streamline operations and help Nigeria achieve its disease eradication goals. He noted that 95% of children under five must receive the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to completely wipe out the poliovirus, which has already been reduced globally by 99.9%.

He also highlighted the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine into Nigeria’s national immunisation schedule, describing it as a historic milestone that will protect future generations. “For decades, measles has been one of the leading causes of child deaths, while rubella continues to pose serious risks to unborn children,” he said, commending government leadership and support from UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and other partners.

Representing the Executive Secretary of NAPHDA, Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, the Director of Health Education and Social Mobilisation, Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that stakeholders had been deeply involved in raising public awareness to ensure the campaign’s success. He thanked UNICEF and other partners for their continued support and praised the state government for becoming the first in Nigeria to integrate the MR vaccine into routine immunisation programmes.

Also at the event, Dr. Kayode Olawuyi from the African Field Epidemiology Network delivered a lecture on the importance of the MR vaccine, warning that congenital rubella syndrome remains a major risk for unvaccinated pregnant women. He emphasised that the media’s role in public enlightenment is vital to achieving widespread participation.

In his remarks, veteran journalist Kalu Idika urged media practitioners to provide factual information about vaccination safety, noting that the vaccines have been certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and NAFDAC, assuring parents that they are safe and effective.

The media dialogue brought together journalists, healthcare professionals, and partners from all 13 LGAs of the state.

Similarly, UNICEF had earlier announced plans to vaccinate 7.8 million children aged 9 months to 14 years against measles and rubella in Kano State, beginning October 25, 2025, alongside 2.3 million children under five for polio immunisation.