The Edo government says it is set to launch a statewide measles and rubella vaccination campaign targeting 2.2 million children aged zero months to 14 years.

The director of disease control and immunisation at the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Eseigbe Efeomon, disclosed this on Friday in Benin.

Mr Efeomon said the campaign is scheduled to run from January 20 to January 30, 2026, as part of intensified efforts to curb vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The campaign aims to reduce measles and rubella incidence and protect children from avoidable illnesses through timely and comprehensive immunisation,” he said.

He explained that vaccination activities would be conducted across all 18 local government areas of the state without exception.

According to him, services will be provided at designated public health facilities and temporary vaccination posts within communities to ensure wide access.

“The vaccines are free, safe, and effective and will be administered strictly by trained and qualified health workers,” Mr Efeomon assured.

He noted that the exercise forms part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to eliminate measles and rubella nationwide.

Mr Efeomon said the national target is to reduce cases to 10 per million population by 2026 and further to one per million by 2030.

He emphasised that achieving these targets requires sustained vaccination and increased population immunity, especially among children.

The director stressed that only certified health workers would be engaged as vaccinators because the vaccines are injectable.

WHO local government facilitator Ajaero Paul described measles and rubella as leading causes of child deaths and congenital abnormalities globally.

Mr Paul said both diseases are entirely preventable through the combined measles-rubella vaccine when properly administered.

“Parents and caregivers should ensure their children are taken to designated centres for vaccination,” he urged.

UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Health Officer Yakubu Suleiman reiterated that the measles-rubella vaccine is safe and effective.

Mr Suleiman said the vaccine is recommended for all children aged zero months to 14 years to guarantee lifelong protection.

(NAN)