UNICEF, Kano govt, others target 7.8m children for measles-Rubella, polio vaccination

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Kano state government and other global health Partners, have launched an integrated vaccination campaign, targeting over 7.8 million children with vaccination for measles-Rubella and polio.

This was revealed during a Media Dialogue held in Kano.

The vaccination exercise slated to hold between October 6 and 16, 2025 is designed to be the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

The targeted 7.8 million children to be vaccinated against measles-Rubella are within the age brackets of 9–14 years.

However, about 3.9 million under-five age children are to be vaccinated against polio.

The routine immunizations will also include hepatitis and HPV vaccines, as well as treatments for neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis.

Speaking at a media dialogue in Kano, Dr. Ahmed Tijjani, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, described the campaign as “a comprehensive health package designed to protect children and communities from life-threatening diseases.

Representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Maryam H. Umar called on journalists to play a pivotal role in public sensitization:

She said: “Our message is clear—we depend on you, the media, to share accurate information on the benefits of vaccination and to guide parents and caregivers on where to access these free, safe, and effective vaccines.”

Rahama Rihood M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, said the objective of the Media Dialogue was for the partners to share information with participants on the upcoming integrated Measles-Rubella Polio Vaccination Campaign.

He said: “Our gathering here today highlights the crucial role the media plays in our collaboration to ensure the well-being of children. It is important to highlight that the upcoming integrated campaign is planned and implemented collaboratively by partners including, the Federal Ministry of Health; the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency; WHO; Gavi; the Gates Foundation, Civil Society Organization, UNICEF and the Kano State Government.

“Nigeria has planned to implement Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign integrated with Polio in all 36 states in two phases starting from 6th October 2025 till 16th February 2026.
“Kano State falls under Phase One of the Campaign which will be implemented in 21 states in two streams. The phase 1, stream 1, holds from 6th October to 17th October 2025.”

According to him: “This year, between August and September, Kano State implemented two In- between Round Activities (IBRA) targeting 354,173 children under five years of age in 3,223 settlements from 125 wards across 44 LGAs achieving 82% and 98% coverage respectively by E Tally data.”

Farah further stated that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency with the support of UNICEF has allocated 3,347 teams, provided 4.6 million doses of Novel Oral Polio Vaccines (nOPV2) and 4.5 million doses of (bOPV) targeting 3.9 million children under five years age in the state for the October polio vaccination campaign.

“A total of 7.8 million children from 9 months to 14 years of age will be vaccinated with Measles-Rubella vaccines in Kano state. The campaign will be implemented using a fixed, temporary post and sweep teams strategy.
Each Measles-Rubella team comprises 11 team members having two members in every sweep team for polio vaccination,” he added.

The campaign, backed by the National Primary Health Care Management Agency , WHO, Gavi, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society organizations, and the Kano State Government, has been equipped with 4.6 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) and 4.5 million doses of the bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV).

Our Correspondent reports that the Kano campaign is part of a broader national plan to immunize 106 million children across Nigeria in two phases, with Kano leading the first phase.