On Friday, the Kwara State government initiated a comprehensive immunization drive aimed at protecting vulnerable populations from measles, rubella, and polio within the state.
Scheduled to run for ten days starting Saturday, this campaign targets approximately 1.8 million children. The measles-rubella-polio-vaccination/” title=”Kano and UNICEF Launch Historic Vaccination Drive to Protect 7…. Against …, …, and …”>measles-rubella vaccine will be administered to children aged between 9 months and 14 years, while the oral polio vaccine is designated for those from birth up to 5 years old.
This health initiative is a collaborative effort led by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other key development organizations.
During the launch event held in Ilorin, the state capital, Kwara’s First Lady, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, emphasized that this campaign represents more than just a policy achievement-it is a crucial, life-saving measure for children and families across the state.
She urged all parents and guardians to ensure their eligible children receive the vaccines during the campaign period.
“I applaud the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and our development partners for their dedication that has made the rollout of the measles-rubella vaccine possible in our state,” she remarked.
Highlighting the urgency, she noted that the introduction of the measles-rubella vaccine comes at a critical time, given recent measles outbreaks in various regions of Nigeria.
“Currently, only about 60% of Nigerian children receive the first dose of the measles vaccine, and coverage for the second dose drops to just 38%. This gap in immunization coverage is a key factor behind ongoing outbreaks,” she explained.
“With the deployment of the measles-rubella vaccine, Kwara State and the nation have a significant opportunity to bridge this gap and enhance protection for every child, mother, and family,” she added.
The First Lady also called on influential community figures-including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and media representatives-to actively support government efforts by promoting awareness about the importance of measles-rubella and polio vaccinations.
Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Commissioner for Health, described the campaign as a transformative public health endeavor designed to safeguard lives throughout Kwara’s communities.
Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, revealed that the agency has mobilized 8,657 trained personnel, encompassing healthcare workers, supervisors, and security staff, to ensure the campaign’s successful implementation.
“Despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine, measles remains one of the most contagious and deadly viral diseases affecting young children worldwide,” she emphasized.
