Kaduna Launches Massive Measles-Rubella Vaccination Drive Targeting Over 4 Million Children

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board has officially launched an ambitious integrated measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, aiming to immunize more than 4.2 million children across the state’s 23 local government areas.

Supported by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners, the campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years, as part of efforts to curb the spread of deadly childhood diseases.

At the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Hamza Ibrahim, Director of Disease Control and Immunization, highlighted the campaign’s role in reaching “zero-dose” children; those who have never received any vaccination.

He said Kaduna alone contributes about 10% of Nigeria’s zero-dose population, with more than 4,000 unvaccinated children identified in the state.

“Thanks to the relentless efforts of community women and our development partners, we are optimistic about reaching every eligible child,” Dr. Ibrahim said.

Yusha’u Isah, State Health Educator with the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, emphasized that the campaign would tackle multiple vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, rubella, polio, and diphtheria.

“Currently, diphtheria is still being transmitted in over 19 local governments, and measles has been reported in all LGAs this year,” he noted. “This campaign is critical to stop disease transmission and boost children’s immunity.”

Authorities have made special arrangements to reach children in hard-to-reach and security-compromised areas, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“We are working closely with security agencies, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure every child is reached,” Isah added.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reassured parents that the MR vaccine is safe, effective, and approved by NAFDAC and WHO, aligning with Nigeria’s goal to eliminate measles and rubella by 2030.

Health officials urge parents and guardians to take all eligible children to nearby health facilities and temporary vaccination posts, emphasizing that the vaccine is completely free of charge.