By Jethro Ibileke
No fewer than 2.2 million children have been targeted for vaccination in the ongoing Nigeria Integrated Mass Vaccination Campaign for Measles and Rubella.
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization of Edo State Primary Healthcare Department Agency, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin, at a media parley organised to sensitize journalists on the immunization.
He disclosed that the 10-day vaccination campaign will commence on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, across the 18 local government areas of the State, with 2 days marked for mop-up exercise.
According to Efeomon, Edo State falls in phase 2, stream 1 of the immunization campaign that began late last year in the north.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Department Agency, Mr Osawe Lawani, described Measles and Rubella as deadly viral infections, but could be stopped by vaccination.
He added that children from 9 months to 14 years will benefit from the 2-in-1 vaccination, even as he added that vaccinated children would be issued vaccination cards.
Lawani, who disclosed that every nook and cranny of the State, including schools and worship centers, would be reached, also urged parents to make their children available for immunization.
On his part, UNICEF’s consultant on Social and Behavioral Change, Mr. Yakubu Suleiman, described the exercise as the second biggest immunization campaign in the world, as it will be carried out in 175 countries, with no fewer than 102.5 million children vaccinated in Nigeria.
He urged all media practitioners to key into the campaign for the prevention and elimination of Measles and Rubella in Nigeria.
Suleiman further urged them to help dispel all negative and false narratives about immunization by publishing accurate and positive reports on immunization.
Leave a Reply