Wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has launched the Measles Rubella Vaccination (MRV) Campaign.
She called on parents, guardians and community leaders to ensure every eligible child is immunised.
The launch began with an awareness walk from the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, through Obafemi Awolowo Way to Allen Roundabout, Ikeja, and was followed by a high-level stakeholders’ engagement session at Lagos House, Alausa.
Dr Sanwo-Olu described the campaign as reflecting the State Government’s determination to safeguard children’s future and protect unborn generations from preventable diseases.
She recalled that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had approved counterpart funding for the campaign on August 18, 2025, underscoring his unwavering commitment to child health and strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
“This action by the Governor is not only a testament to his passion for child health but also a reflection of the State Government’s resolve to eliminate preventable diseases,” the First Lady said.
The First Lady described the initiative as a collective social responsibility, championed under the Governor’s Spouses Forum Initiative with strong backing from the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS).
She warned about the dangers of measles and rubella, which are highly contagious and capable of causing blindness, brain damage, deafness, birth defects, or even death. She explained that the MR vaccine provides dual protection, saves lives, reduces hospital costs, and enhances the quality of life for children.
“The vaccine targets children between 9 months and 14 years. Two doses provide up to 85 per cent immunity. While mild reactions like fever or rash may occur, serious side effects are rare. The benefits far outweigh any temporary discomfort,” she emphasised.
The Lagos First Lady assured parents the vaccines would be free, safe, and available in all government health facilities and schools across Lagos State from January 2026. She also appealed to school authorities to cooperate fully to ensure no child is left behind.
The high point of the event was the First Lady’s inauguration of prominent traditional rulers and religious leaders as Vaccination Ambassadors, including the Oba of Lagos, the Oniru of Iruland, the Onigando of Igando, the paramount ruler of Igbogbo, the Oniba of Iba, the Bale of Marine Beach, the Chief Imam of Lagos, the Lagos Chairman of CAN, the Iya Oloja General, and the Eze Ndigbo, among others.
“When culture, tradition, and science work together, progress is inevitable. With the voices of our royal fathers and community leaders joining the call, we are confident that acceptance of the vaccine will increase and hesitancy will diminish,” she said.
