Kano, UNICEF to vaccinate 7.8m children in measles-rubella, polio campaign

The Kano State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has announced plans to vaccinate over 7.8 million children during an Integrated Measles-Rubella and Polio Vaccination Campaign scheduled for October 6–17, 2025.

The exercise will target children aged 9 months to 14 years for the measles-rubella vaccine, under-five children with polio vaccines, and infants aged 0–23 months with routine immunization. It will also deliver vaccines for hepatitis (HPV) and treatment for onchocerciasis.

Speaking at a media dialogue in Kano on Monday, the Director General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim—represented by Dr. Ahmed Tijana, Director of Disease Control and Immunization—described the campaign as “historic,” calling it the largest vaccination drive in sub-Saharan Africa.

“In Nigeria, the target is 106 million children, and Kano alone accounts for over 7 million. This integrated approach saves costs, reduces the stress of multiple campaigns, and delivers health services in a single package,” he said.

He urged journalists to step up public sensitization to ensure maximum coverage, noting that all preparations for the 10-day campaign had been finalized. This includes the deployment of 3,347 vaccination teams, the provision of 4.6 million doses of novel oral polio vaccine, and 4.5 million doses of bivalent oral polio vaccine, with support from UNICEF and partners.

Also speaking, Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, explained that Kano is among 21 states participating in Phase One of the nationwide campaign.

He highlighted the importance of stopping polio transmission, noting that Kano recorded only three cases of variant poliovirus (cVPV2) in 2025 compared to 31 in 2024.

Farah added that UNICEF, alongside the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Gates Foundation, and civil society partners, has trained over 3,000 health workers and community mobilizers, and provided information materials to boost vaccine acceptance.

“The media must help mobilize caregivers and communities. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free,” he emphasized, urging parents to present their children for vaccination.