Edo joins national push to immunise 2.2m children against measles, rubella

By Jethro Ibileke

No fewer than 2.2 million children across Edo State are expected to benefit from the ongoing Nigeria Integrated Mass Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign.

The Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Eseigbe Efeomo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin during a media engagement aimed at sensitising journalists on the importance of the exercise.

Dr Efeomo explained that the vaccination exercise would run for 10 days, beginning on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, across all 18 local government areas of the state. She added that an additional two days had been set aside for mop-up activities to ensure full coverage.

According to her, Edo State is participating under Phase Two, Stream One of the national immunisation programme, which commenced in parts of northern Nigeria late last year.

Also speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Osawe Lawani, described measles and rubella as highly contagious and potentially fatal viral diseases that can be effectively prevented through vaccination.

He noted that the campaign targets children aged between nine months and 14 years, who will receive a combined two-in-one measles and rubella vaccine. He added that vaccinated children would be issued immunisation cards as proof of participation.

Lawani assured that vaccination teams would reach all parts of the state, including schools, places of worship and hard-to-reach communities, while urging parents and guardians to make their children available for the exercise.

In his remarks, UNICEF’s Social and Behavioural Change Consultant, Mr Yakubu Suleiman, described the campaign as the second largest immunisation exercise globally, noting that it would be conducted in 175 countries.

He revealed that no fewer than 102.5 million children are expected to be vaccinated in Nigeria alone and called on media professionals to support efforts aimed at eliminating measles and rubella nationwide.

Suleiman further urged journalists to help counter misinformation surrounding immunisation by promoting accurate, factual and positive reporting throughout the campaign.