The Kwara State government, on Friday, launched an integrated vaccination campaign to prevent measles rubella and polio diseases among vulnerable groups in the state.
The exercise, which will last for 10 days beginning from Saturday, is expected to cover at least 1.8m children whose ages range between 9 months and 14 years (for measles rubella vaccine) and zero to 5 years for oral polio vaccine.
The programme was organised by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO), among other development partners.
At the flag-off ceremony in Ilorin, the state capital, Kwara State First Lady, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, said the initiative was not just a policy milestone but a life-saving intervention for Kwara children and families.
She called on all parents and guardians to present their children within the age range for the vaccination.
“I commend the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and all development partners for the efforts that culminated in the launch of the roll-out of measles rubella vaccine in the state,” she said.
She said the introduction of the measles-rubella (MRV) vaccine is essential and timely, considering the outbreaks of measles in some parts of the country.
“Nigeria now contends with a reality in which only about 60 per cent of children receive the first dose of measles vaccine, while the second dose coverage is as low as 38 per cent. This coverage gap is responsible for the outbreaks.
“By launching MRV, the country, Kwara inclusive, stands the chance of closing a long-standing gap towards protecting every child, mother, and family,” she added.
The First Lady enjoined relevant stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, community heads, and the media, to complement government’s efforts in propagating the benefits of measles rubella and polio vaccines.
The commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, said the campaign is a transformative public health initiative to save lives across the communities.
The executive secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof Nusirat Elelu, said the agency was deploying 8,657 trained personnel, including health workers, supervisors, and security personnel to carry out the campaign.
“Measles remains one of the most contagious and fatal viral diseases affecting young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine,” she stated.
