The Kano State government, partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aims to immunize more than 7.children/” title=”Empowering Futures: EU and Jesuits Launch Education Grant for 56,000 Out-of-School … in Borno”>8 million children during the upcoming Integrated Measles-Rubella and Polio Vaccination Campaign scheduled for October 2025.
Set to run from October 6 to 17, this initiative targets children aged nine months to 14 years for the measles-rubella vaccine, children under five for polio immunization, and infants aged 0 to 23 months for routine vaccinations. Additionally, the campaign will provide immunizations against hepatitis B (HPV) and administer treatments for onchocerciasis.
At a media briefing and orientation held in Kano on Monday, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim, Director General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, represented by Dr. Ahmed Tijana, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, hailed the campaign as a landmark effort. He emphasized that it represents the largest vaccination drive across sub-Saharan Africa.
He highlighted, “Nationwide, Nigeria plans to vaccinate 106 million children, with Kano alone accounting for over 7 million. This integrated approach not only cuts costs but also minimizes the strain of multiple campaigns by delivering comprehensive health services in one coordinated effort.”
Prof. Ibrahim called on media professionals to raise public awareness to ensure extensive participation. He confirmed that all preparations for the 10-day campaign are complete, including the deployment of 3,347 vaccination teams and the distribution of 4.6 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine alongside 4.5 million doses of the bivalent oral polio vaccine, generously supported by UNICEF and its partners.
Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, remarked that Kano State is part of Phase One of the national immunization campaign, which encompasses 21 states.
He underscored the critical need to stop polio transmission, noting a significant decline in cases-from 31 instances of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in 2024 to just three in 2025 within Kano State.
Farah further explained that UNICEF, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, GAVI, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and various civil society organizations, has facilitated the training of over 3,000 healthcare workers and community mobilizers, as well as the distribution of educational materials to promote vaccine acceptance.
“The role of the media is vital in encouraging caregivers and communities to participate. Vaccines are safe, effective, and provided at no cost,” Farah urged, appealing to parents to ensure their children receive the vaccinations during this crucial campaign.
