The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have thrown their weight behind Edo State’s planned measles and rubella vaccination campaign, describing it as a critical step towards protecting children from preventable diseases.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Edo State Government is set to immunise about 2.2 million children between the ages of zero months and 14 years during the statewide exercise scheduled for January 20 to January 30, 2026.
Speaking in Benin on Friday, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Eseigbe Efeomon, said the campaign is designed to significantly cut the spread of measles and rubella and strengthen immunity among children across the state.
Mr Efeomon explained that vaccination teams would be deployed to all 18 local government areas, with services offered at public health facilities as well as temporary posts within communities to ensure that no child is left out.
He assured parents and caregivers that the vaccines would be provided at no cost and administered only by trained and certified health personnel, noting that strict safety protocols would be observed throughout the exercise.
According to him, the Edo campaign aligns with Nigeria’s national strategy to eliminate measles and rubella, with targets to reduce infections to 10 cases per million people by 2026 and further to one case per million by 2030.
He stressed that achieving these goals depends largely on sustained immunisation efforts and high vaccine coverage, particularly among children who are most vulnerable to the diseases.
WHO Local Government Facilitator, Ajaero Paul, described measles and rubella as major contributors to child mortality and birth defects worldwide, but noted that both illnesses are fully preventable with proper vaccination.
He urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the campaign by ensuring that eligible children receive the combined measles–rubella vaccine.
Also speaking, UNICEF’s Social and Behavioural Change Health Officer, Yakubu Suleiman, reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, adding that immunising children within the recommended age bracket provides long-term protection.
Mr Suleiman encouraged community leaders and caregivers to support the campaign, saying widespread participation would help safeguard children’s health and move the country closer to eliminating the diseases.
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