The Niger State government, in collaboration with UNICEF and development partners, has organised a day of media orientation on Measles-Rubella Vaccination for no fewer than 20 journalists in the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana, disclosed that the one-day training is aimed to give orientation and sensitise journalists, adding that the campaign is to target children between the ages of nine months and 14 years so that the vaccination would strengthen immunity and curb the spread of measles and rubella across the state.

Dr. Dangana had earlier applauded the media for its role in promoting public health initiatives, urging the journalists to intensify awareness efforts to ensure parents and caregivers present their children for vaccination.

On his part, the State Health Educator, Mohammed Alhaji Usman, emphasised the critical role of the media in mobilising communities and dispelling misinformation about the vaccines.

Alhaji Usman urged journalists to utilise their various media platforms to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of immunisation.

Earlier, the State Immunisation Officer, Abubakar Usman Kpantu, highlighted the state’s preparedness to ensure the success of the campaign.

He maintained that logistics and vaccine safety measures have been implemented.

UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Lead, Grace Ideyenmi, emphasised the need for sustained community engagement to achieve high coverage, while UNICEF SBC Facilitator Abdulkadir Mohammed conducted sessions on effective communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy.

The media practitioners were drawn from print and electronic media across the state, equipping them with accurate information and advocacy skills to support the upcoming vaccination exercise.