The Kwara State Government has launched a 10-day integrated vaccination campaign to protect 1.8 million children against Measles, Rubella, and Polio.
The exercise, beginning on Saturday, 11 October, targets children aged 9 months to 14 years for the Measles Rubella vaccine and those aged 0 to 5 years for the oral polio vaccine.
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Organised by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KWSPHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, and other partners, the campaign aims to strengthen child immunity and prevent outbreaks.
At the flag-off in Ilorin, the First Lady, Amb. Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, described the initiative as a life-saving effort and urged parents to present their children for vaccination.
She noted that low national coverage, about 60% for the first measles dose and 38% for the second, has contributed to outbreaks across Nigeria.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, represented by Dr Abdullahi Taoheed, said the campaign reflects government’s commitment to reducing preventable childhood diseases.
Executive Secretary, KWSPHCDA, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said 8,657 trained personnel had been deployed statewide, adding that measles remains one of the most contagious and fatal diseases affecting children.
She stressed that rubella poses severe risks to pregnant women and assured that immunisation and antenatal services remain free across all primary healthcare centres.
Representatives of WHO, UNICEF, and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency urged community leaders to support the campaign and dispel misinformation about vaccines.
The campaign runs across all 16 local government areas of Kwara State.
