The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has intensified its immunisation campaigns by taking vaccine services directly to churches, mosques, and markets.

NPHCDA said the effort is aimed at raising awareness and mobilising Nigerians for the ongoing Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign across 11 states and Abuja.

On Sunday in Abuja, the agency and its partners intensified the sensitisation of parents and caregivers to the importance of vaccinating children against measles, rubella, polio, and other preventable diseases.

The nationwide campaign, launched, was in line with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal immunisation coverage.

The campaign aligns with national efforts to reduce child mortality by interrupting measles transmission, eliminating rubella, and protecting over 100 million children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

It also supports the country’s goal of attaining at least 95 per cent coverage for routine immunisations by 2026, which is in line with the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme.

Speaking to newsmen, Garba Rufai, the director of Disease Control and Immunisation at NPHCDA, said the sensitisation formed part of a broader national effort to strengthen vaccination coverage and promote community ownership of public health programmes.

“This is what we call a health walk, part of our awareness campaign for the ongoing Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign currently taking place in 11 states and the FCT,” Mr Rufai said.

He said the campaign targets children aged up to 14 years, who are vaccinated with the Measles-Rubella vaccine, polio vaccine, HPV vaccine for girls aged nine, and other routine immunisations.

He said the NPHCDA was collaborating with other health programmes, including malaria and neglected tropical disease interventions, to ensure a comprehensive approach to disease prevention.

“Our goal is to vaccinate 106 million Nigerians by the end of February 2026,” he said.

He urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the free vaccination.

Eugene Iwasa, a consultant with the Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, also said the Measles-Rubella campaign represents a significant step in safeguarding children’s health.

“Measles and rubella are debilitating diseases that can lead to blindness, deafness, heart defects, and mental impairment,” he said.

Also, Chika Offor, CEO of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, described the campaign as a landmark effort to protect millions of Nigerian children from preventable diseases.

Mr Offor said her organisation and other civil society partners were complementing government efforts by engaging directly with parents and caregivers through markets, churches, and mosques.

She urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of free vaccination to protect their children, stressing that collective participation would help Nigeria achieve a healthier, disease-free future.

The Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign, which began in selected states and Abuja, will continue in phases, with the next rollout scheduled for October 18.

(NAN)