The Kano state government, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a vaccination campaign targeting 7.8 million children against measles and rubella. The campaign, which will run from October 6 to 17, 2025, aims to vaccinate children between 9 months and 14 years of age.

According to Mr. Rahama Rihood Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, the campaign will utilize a fixed, temporary post, and sweep teams strategy. Each team will comprise 11 members, including two members for polio vaccination. To support the cold chain and vaccine management system, 3 Vaccine Storage Locations (VSLs), 44 Local Government Area (LGA) Vaccines Accountability Officers, and 684 Ward Vaccines Accountability Officers have been trained and deployed.

The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, with UNICEF’s support, has provided publicity materials, including banners, posters, and key messages for caregivers and health workers. A total of 3,300 health workers will receive training on improved interpersonal communication skills, and 870 Non-Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) members will be trained to resolve non-compliance cases.

The campaign is part of Nigeria’s broader effort to eradicate polio, with Kano State reporting three cases of a variant of the polio virus (cVPV2) so far in 2025. UNICEF has urged the Kano State Government to ensure timely release of counterpart funds to LGAs and to intensify supervision for quality implementation of the campaign.

The October Integrated Polio Vaccination Campaign is the first phase of a two-phase campaign, which will be implemented in 21 states, including Kano. The state has already implemented two In-between Round Activities (IBRA) this year, achieving 82% and 98% coverage, respectively. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has allocated 3,347 teams, provided 4.6 million doses of Novel Oral Polio Vaccines (nOPV2), and 4.5 million doses of bOPV, targeting 3.9 million children under five years of age in the state.

The success of this campaign is crucial in achieving the goal of halting the circulation of the polio virus in Kano State by the end of the year. With only two months left to meet this target, the Kano State Government and partners must work together to ensure the campaign’s success. The media also has a role to play in promoting awareness and supporting the campaign’s efforts.