In a remarkable shift from previous experiences, schools across Taraba State, both public and private, as noted by The Guardian, are now eagerly opening their gates to health workers as the measles-rubella vaccination campaign sweeps through the entire state.
Unlike previous efforts where vaccinators struggled to access private institutions, the current drive has received unprecedented cooperation and enthusiasm.
The ongoing integrated campaign, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners, has transformed schools into active vaccination centres.
From busy urban centres to quieter rural communities, the campaign, which began on October 17, 2025, has turned the tide in public health outreach.
At Sabon Gari Primary School, Champion International School in Mayo-Gwoi, and Omas Royal Academy, among others, the scene is the same: head teachers, school proprietors, administrators, and even nannies are working hand-in-hand with vaccinators to ensure no child is left behind.
Administrative staff are also noticed to have paused their regular routines to usher in health teams and facilitate smooth operations.
Some of the school heads, who spoke with The Guardian, shared that directives from the state’s health authority and the ministry of education mandated full cooperation with the campaign.
Beyond compliance, many say that the longstanding support and goodwill from UNICEF, through the state government, made their participation feel like a duty of gratitude.
“We’ve seen how much UNICEF has done over the years,” said a head teacher at one of the private schools. “When they bring any programme like this, we know it’s for the good of our children. So we don’t hesitate.”
Mobilisation teams have also stepped up their outreach, going door-to-door to raise awareness and encourage parents to bring eligible children to the nearest vaccination centre. Their efforts, they say, have been driven by training, tools, and motivation provided by international partners, particularly the UNICEF.
“The support we’ve received made it easier to connect with caregivers,” one mobiliser shared. “We’re not just going house to house; we’re seeing real change in attitudes, especially from communities that were once hesitant.”
At vaccination sites, caregivers are arriving in large numbers, some holding infants tightly in their arms, others guiding school-aged children toward the waiting health workers.
Many parents expressed appreciation for the campaign, citing previous vaccination drives that helped protect their children from preventable diseases.
“I’ve seen how these vaccines work,” said one mother waiting in line at a school compound. “I just wish the programme could last longer so more children can benefit.”
Though the campaign is scheduled to end on October 27, many community leaders and parents are calling for an extension, believing 10 days is insufficient to reach all eligible children across the state’s diverse and sometimes hard-to-reach communities.
As the campaign progresses, what stands out is not only the increased accessibility but also the renewed spirit of collaboration now driving Taraba’s vaccination efforts. For the first time in years, schools once seen as difficult terrain for public health campaigns have become allies in a shared mission: to protect every child from life-threatening diseases.
