The Federal Government has called on parents, guardians, and caregivers to ensure that every eligible child receives the ongoing integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination, describing it as a vital step in protecting Nigerian children from preventable killer diseases.

The 10-day nationwide campaign, currently underway in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aims to strengthen immunity against measles, rubella, and other vaccine-preventable diseases while integrating additional health interventions.

Speaking at the Wuse Market in Abuja after a 10-kilometre sensitisation walk, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ahmed Rufai, said the campaign seeks to reduce child morbidity and mortality caused by preventable diseases.

“This is the mother of all campaigns,” Rufai said. “We are vaccinating children aged nine months to 14 years with different antigens, including the Measles-Rubella vaccine, routine immunization vaccines, and HPV vaccines for girls aged nine.

“We are also collaborating with malaria and neglected tropical disease programmes to provide additional preventive care. We appeal to caregivers, mothers, fathers, and guardians to take their children to the nearest health facility for vaccination.”

He disclosed that the agency’s target is to vaccinate about 106 million Nigerians within the 10-day exercise, stressing that immunisation remains one of the most effective tools to prevent disease outbreaks.

Speaking on behalf of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC), Chika Offor, described the Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign as a “bold and ambitious public health initiative,” noting that over 100 million children are expected to be reached across the country.

Offor emphasized that vaccines are safe, effective, and provided free by the government, urging parents to seize the opportunity.

“With the introduction of new vaccines such as Measles-Rubella, HPV, and others, alongside efforts to control malaria and neglected tropical diseases, the government aims to ensure that every Nigerian child reaches their full potential,” she said.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO) Field Office for Integrated Service Delivery in the FCT, Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, said development partners are working with the NPHCDA to ensure no eligible child is left out.

“We have all the antigens in the Nigerian routine immunization schedule to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases,” Balami said.

“Our goal is to ensure that every child aged nine months to 14 years is vaccinated against measles and rubella by March 2026. We do not want to see any child within that age group come down with measles, which is entirely preventable.”

She encouraged parents to cooperate fully with health workers and ensure that their children receive the vaccines to build a healthier future for the nation.