Kaduna Begins Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign to Protect 4.2 Million Children

The Kaduna measles and rubella vaccination campaign targets 4.2 million children aged nine months to 14 years.
The programme aims to reduce the number of “zero-dose” children and prevent outbreaks of measles, rubella, and other diseases.
Supported by UNICEF, WHO, and local partners, the campaign will reach hard-to-access and security-compromised communities.
Health officials urge parents to ensure every eligible child receives the free vaccination for stronger community immunity.

In a decisive move to strengthen child health across the state, the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board has launched a large-scale measles and rubella vaccination campaign. The exercise, which commenced on Saturday, seeks to reduce child mortality and stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in Kaduna.

The Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Hamza Ibrahim, said the campaign is a critical step toward reaching thousands of children who have never received any form of vaccination. According to him, Kaduna accounts for nearly 10 percent of the 100 local government areas nationwide struggling with the zero-dose challenge, with over 4,000 unvaccinated children identified.

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“Even though we have a large number of children to reach, our progress is encouraging due to the effort of community women and support from development partners,” Dr. Ibrahim said. “With the backing of UNICEF, WHO, CHAN, CHI, and others, we are confident that no eligible child will be left behind.”

Also speaking, the State Health Educator, Yusha’u Isah, explained that the integrated vaccination drive would cover measles, rubella, diphtheria, and polio. He noted that Kaduna has recorded measles cases in all local governments this year, while diphtheria remains active in more than 19 councils.

Isah added that special teams have been deployed to ensure children in hard-to-reach and insecure areas, including internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, receive their doses. “We are collaborating with security agencies, traditional rulers, and community groups to guarantee full access,” he said.

Representing the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Elizabeth Hassan assured that the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine is both safe and effective, having been approved by NAFDAC and the WHO. She emphasised that the campaign supports Nigeria’s goal to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030.

Health officials are urging parents and guardians to bring their children to designated vaccination posts and health centres across the state. The vaccine is completely free, and authorities insist that full participation will help build herd immunity and save young lives.

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