The Taraba State government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children against measles and rubella, calling on communities, health workers, and development partners to work collectively around the clock to ensure no child is left behind.

Speaking on Friday during the official flag-off ceremony of the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign in Jalingo, the state capital, the First Lady of Taraba State, Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas, emphasised the need for a united front to eradicate the diseases from the state.

“Let us work hand in hand to ensure that no child is left behind, and that measles and rubella become diseases of the past in Taraba State,” Mrs. Agyin said.

The First Lady, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bodiya Buma, urged parents and caregivers to bring their children to designated health facilities and outreach centres for immunisation. She assured them that the vaccines are safe, effective, and critical to safeguarding the health of every child.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukura, described measles and rubella as serious threats to child health in Nigeria. He, however, noted that they can be effectively prevented through timely and widespread vaccination.

Dr. Tukura explained that the ongoing campaign is aimed at increasing immunisation coverage and protecting thousands of children across all communities in Taraba State.

Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, health officials, and development partners, pledged their full support to the government’s efforts to achieve total eradication of the diseases.

An estimated 1.6 million children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years are targeted to receive the measles-rubella vaccine during the ten-day exercise.

In addition, children aged 0 to 59 months will receive the polio vaccine, while girls aged 9 years will be administered the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.

Health officials expressed optimism that the campaign will significantly reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in the state, moving Taraba closer to achieving universal immunisation coverage.