The Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency has launched a vaccination campaign targeting 3,186,521 children against measles and rubella. According to Shehu Ibrahim, the state Immunization Officer, the integrated campaign will run from October 6 to 15, 2025, covering all 288 wards in the state’s 27 local government areas.
The initiative aims to immunize children aged 9 months to 14 years against measles and rubella, while also providing additional vaccines: NOPV for children 0–59 months, HPV for those 9–14 years, and RI for infants 0–23 months. Vaccinations will be administered at primary and secondary health facilities as well as public buildings throughout the state.
Shehu Ibrahim emphasized the importance of parental cooperation, urging parents to ensure their children receive the necessary shots. He warned that non‑compliance could lead to outbreaks and higher morbidity and mortality rates, underscoring vaccination’s role in disease prevention.
The federal government has set a national target of vaccinating 100 million children to curb measles and other vaccine‑preventable diseases. Data show that Nigeria recorded 94,304 confirmed measles cases with 714 deaths between 2019 and 2024, and in 2025 there were 4,637 measles cases, of which 1,539 were confirmed.
This campaign represents a significant step toward reducing the burden of vaccine‑preventable diseases in Nigeria. With the support of parents, healthcare workers, community leaders, and the broader community, the program aims to achieve high vaccination coverage and protect children against measles, rubella, and other illnesses. The success of the effort will depend on the cooperation of all stakeholders.
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