From Abel Leonard, Lafia
No fewer than 1.9 million children are to be immunized against measles, rubella, and polio in Nasarawa State, as UNICEF, in collaboration with the government and partners, flagged off preparations for the Integrated Polio-Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
The one-day media dialogue held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at De 1st Crown Hotel, Lafia, brought together health officials, journalists, and stakeholders ahead of the statewide campaign scheduled for October 6 to 15.
Dr. Dr Luqman Ahmed, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office Specialist, said both the federal and state governments were “fully prepared” for the rollout, stressing that vaccines and logistics had been deployed down to local government areas and takeoff facilities.
“At the national level, we are fully, fully and fully prepared, and at the state level, we are also very, very, very prepared,” Ahmed assured. “UNICEF has supported the country in the procurement of vaccines and other commodities, which have been shipped to all the states and further distributed to local governments and facilities.”
He noted that training sessions had cascaded from the national to the ward levels, while traditional, religious, and community leaders had been mobilized to support the campaign. “Task force meetings chaired by the Deputy Governor have been held, and awareness has been spread in mosques, churches, markets, and through town announcers. We are confident of a very successful rollout,” he added.
Highlighting the scope of the exercise, Dr. Ahmed disclosed that 1,372,000 children aged 9 months to 14 years would receive the Measles-Rubella vaccine, while 1,560,000 children under five would be targeted for the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2).
On his part, the State Health Educator, Mr. Ishaya Amegwa, commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for being the first Nigerian governor to endorse the introduction of the MR vaccine into routine immunization.
“Our governor was the first to publicly endorse the MR vaccine, and since then, we have engaged critical stakeholders including legislators, traditional rulers, religious leaders, school PTAs, and community groups. The buy-in has been massive,” Abel said.
He explained that public sensitization was already in top gear, with jingles running on radio, announcements in schools, churches, mosques, and through town announcers.
“The campaign will run from October 6 to 15, with additional mop-up days on the 16th and 17th. We appeal to parents and caregivers to ensure no child is missed. This vaccine has been available globally since 1979 and is safe, effective, and free of charge,” he stressed.
In his keynote address, Dr. Ahmed of UNICEF said Nigeria had made “remarkable progress” in the fight against preventable diseases, recalling that the country had been certified wild poliovirus-free. He however warned that Nigeria still had one of the highest numbers of “zero dose” children in the world.
“Measles remains one of the leading killers of children under five, while rubella causes life-long harm when it infects pregnant women. With the MR vaccine, we now have an additional, powerful tool to stop both diseases and protect generations yet unborn,” he said.
He called on the media to play a frontline role in mobilization and information sharing. “Your voice can break down myths and misinformation, and your platforms can build trust in science and public health. Immunization days should be seen not as routine, but as moments of protection and care,” Ahmed charged.
He added: “Together, we will keep Nigeria polio-free, reduce measles outbreaks, prevent rubella, and protect the future of every Nigerian children.
The post 1.9m children targeted in Nasarawa as UNICEF, partners flag off Measles-Rubella, Polio Vaccination Campaign appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
