- targets 2.2 million children
Ondo State Government will commence the administration of the newly introduced Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine in January 2026, targeting no fewer than 2.2 million eligible children. The state will also roll out the malaria vaccine alongside the MR vaccine.
Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr Francis Akanbiemu, announced this during a one-day media orientation on the introduction of the MR vaccine held in Akure on Thursday.
Represented by the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Victor Adefesoye, Akanbiemu said the exercise aims to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases to secure their future.
He noted that the MR vaccine is not new in Nigeria, as some northern states have already introduced it.
Describing it as a “two-in-one vaccine,” he stressed the need for proper sensitisation to encourage parents to present their children for vaccination.
He added that Rubella is closely related to measles, with both diseases exhibiting similar signs and symptoms.
Akanbiemu explained that the vaccine will be administered to school-aged children at the same time as the measles vaccine. He said it is an injectable vaccine to be given in the left upper arm and called on stakeholders to ensure effective dissemination of information across the state.
He urged parents to seize the opportunity to protect their children, saying, “Help them attain good health so they can take care of you when you are old. It is the right of children to be vaccinated, live and be healthy through the prevention of diseases by the availability of vaccines provided by government.”
Speaking on the role of the media in mobilising communities for the exercise, UNICEF representative, Morounke Orhorhamreru, called on journalists to integrate key MR messages into their programmes across all platforms, including news and public service announcements.
She urged the media to engage health experts, support coverage of immunisation activities, visit communities, and highlight human-interest stories.
Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr (Mrs) Modupe Oluwasore, described the media as crucial to the success of the vaccination campaign and appealed for continued support. She said rumours and misconceptions must be dispelled to ensure widespread acceptance.
State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Florence Fadiji, in her presentation, described measles and rubella as highly contagious viral diseases with serious consequences, especially for children and vulnerable groups.
She outlined the benefits of vaccination, which include herd immunity, outbreak prevention and improved health outcomes.
For individuals, she noted that the vaccine prevents complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and congenital rubella syndrome, significantly reducing mortality.
She said the target age group for the campaign is children between nine months and 14 years.
The vaccination will run for 10 days, with a two-day mop-up, at fixed and temporary (mobile) posts.
Fadiji added that the MR vaccine will be incorporated into the Routine Immunisation Schedule immediately after the campaign, replacing the measles vaccine at nine and 15 months.
She called for collective efforts to boost vaccine uptake and protect children, saying, “Spread the word, support efforts and advocate for vaccination. Let us work together to vaccinate for a healthier Ondo State.”
The Hope
