In a renewed effort to reduce infant mortality across the country, the Federal Government in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government, UNICEF, and other development partners has concluded plans to vaccinate over 1.3 million children aged nine months to 14 years against measles, rubella, and polio.
Addressing journalists at a one-day media engagement on Friday in Lafia, Dr. Lugman Ahmed, UNICEF Specialist, Kaduna Field Office, said the Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction and Polio Campaign was crucial to curbing preventable childhood diseases.
He noted that UNICEF, in partnership with federal and state authorities and other stakeholders, has made significant progress in promoting child health through immunization.
“Today, we stand on the threshold of another milestone — the introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine into our national immunization schedule,” Dr. Ahmed said.
He explained that measles remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five, while rubella can cause severe birth defects and lifelong complications when contracted by pregnant women.
“With the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, we now have a powerful tool to stop both diseases and protect generations yet unborn. This step is possible through the leadership of our government at all levels, with strong support from UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and other partners,” he added.
Dr. Ahmed emphasized that the MR vaccine is safe, government-funded, and available free of charge to all eligible children. He also reiterated the need to maintain momentum in the fight against poliovirus, which has been reduced globally by 99.9% through oral vaccination.
“To defeat poliovirus completely, 95% of all children below five must receive the Oral Polio Vaccine in every round until eradication is achieved,” he said.
He lamented that Nigeria still records one of the highest numbers of “zero-dose” children in the world, stressing that outbreaks of measles and variant poliovirus continue to pose threats.
According to him, vaccines are only effective when they reach every child, and the media has a vital role to play in dispelling myths and misinformation surrounding immunization.
“We urge the media to help mobilize parents, caregivers, and communities so that immunization days are viewed as moments of protection and responsibility,” he appealed.
On his part, the Director of Health Education at the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Ishaya Amegwa, disclosed that Governor Abdullahi Sule was the first state governor to endorse the MR routine immunization campaign.
He added that stakeholders have been fully engaged to sensitize households, parents, and caregivers ahead of the official launch of the exercise on October 7.
Amegwa urged parents and caregivers to present their children aged nine months to 14 years for vaccination during the 10-day exercise. Afterward, he said, only children aged nine to 15 months would receive the vaccine during routine immunization sessions.
