Kaduna to vaccinate 4.2m children against measles, rubella

The Kaduna State Government has launched an integrated measles and rubella vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing more than 4.2 million children across its 23 local government areas.

The statewide exercise, which began on Saturday, seeks to curb child mortality and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. It targets children aged between nine months and 14 years and is supported by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners.

Speaking at the launch, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Hamza Ibrahim, said the campaign would significantly reduce the number of “zero-dose” children — those who have never received any vaccination — in Kaduna State.

He revealed that Kaduna accounts for about 10 percent of Nigeria’s 100 local government areas struggling with the zero-dose challenge, with over 4,000 unvaccinated children identified.

“Our progress so far is due to the commitment of community women and the support of partners like UNICEF, WHO, CHAN, and CHI. With their help, we are confident we’ll reach every eligible child,” Dr. Ibrahim said.

Also speaking, the State Health Educator, Yusha’u Isah, said the integrated campaign covers multiple vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, rubella, polio, and diphtheria.

“For now, diphtheria transmission persists in more than 19 local governments, while all local governments have recorded measles cases this year,” Isah noted.

He added that special arrangements have been made to reach children in hard-to-reach and security-compromised areas, including internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, with the collaboration of security agencies, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders.

Representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Elizabeth Hassan assured parents that the measles-rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and approved by NAFDAC and the WHO. She said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s target to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030.

Health authorities urged parents and guardians to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated at designated centres and temporary posts across the state, stressing that the vaccines are free of charge.