7.8 million children ,to be vaccinated with Measles-Rubella vaccines in Kano — UNICEF
Kola Oyelere Kano
The United Nation Children Fund ( UNICEF)has said that a total of 7.8 million children from 9 months to 14 years of age, will be vaccinated with Measles-Rubella vaccines in Kano state.
Mr.Rahama Rihood M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office,made this known at Media Dialogue, Orientation and Mobilization Session on the Integrated Measles-Rubella Polio Vaccination Campaign in Kano State.
29 September 2025
He however disclosed that “The phase 1, stream 1, holds from 6th October to 17th October 2025.”
According to him,” The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency with the support of UNICEF 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 age in the state for the October polio vaccination campaign.
The UNICEF then added that ” For
the success and visibility of the integrated Measles-Rubella Polio Vaccination Campaign , the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, with the support of UNICEF, has provided below to Kano state:”
He noted that 88 publicity banners, 3,347 vaccination post banners, 1056 posters, 44,000 key messages for caregivers, 13,200 FAQs for health workers, 1,320 Christian sermon guides, 30,380 Muslim sermon guides, 8,800 key messages for local influencers, 880 key messages for media and 176 general banners.
Training of 3,300 health workers on improved Interpersonal (IPC) Communication Skills, including the training of 870 Non-Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) members.
A total of 290 NCRTs (each team comprises a community influencer, traditional leader and vaccinator) will be deployed to convert/resolve noncompliance cases during intra campaign phases on real time basis in Kano.
He also disclosed that “From the VCMs Network, has deployed 8 state facilitators, 44 LGAs facilitators, 486 voluntary ward supervisors (VWSs), 385 Polio Survivor Groups (PSGs) and 4,864 voluntary community mobilizers (VCMs) in support of the campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General Kano state primary Health Care Management board Professional Salisu Ahmed Ibrahim,the director disease control and immunization Dr.Ahmed Tijani said ” this is a very important dialogue, because ,the media is our friends adding this campaign is unique.
” We have never had this kind of campaign in the history of Nigeria,is the largest campaign in the whole of South of Shara Africa
According to him “Nigeria we were targeting 106 million children,while in Kano we were targeting over 7 million children to be vaccinated.
Amongst these to be vaccinated are measles rubella routine immunization,polio and others adding that this campaign would be delivered in package
He noted that the reasons for this integration,is to increase efficiency,safe cost as well as to reduce the burden of numerous campaigns to the public
below to Kano state:
• 88 publicity banners, 3,347 vaccination post banners, 1056 posters, 44,000 key messages for caregivers, 13,200 FAQs for health workers, 1,320 Christian sermon guides, 30,380 Muslim sermon guides, 8,800 key messages for local influencers, 880 key messages for media and 176 general banners.
While we acknowledge the progress made possible by the Government and partners, our goal of halting the circulation of the polio virus in Kano State is yet to be attained. Kano has reported 3 cases of a variant of polio virus (cVPV2) so far in 2025, one each from Warawa, Bunkure and Nassarawa LGAs compared to 31 cVPV2 cases from 17 LGAs in 2024.
With only two months until December, the agreed date for achieving this goal, UNICEF calls on the Kano State Government to implement the following:
• State/LGAs Flag offs to be conducted and counterpart funds released to LGAs on time.
• LGAs chairmen to personally oversee the pre, intra and post campaign phases and be regularly chairing the evening review meetings during the campaign.
• LGAs Teams to intensify the supervision for the quality implementation of campaign.
• We urge the state to use 400 MP3 Bluetooth Speakers with pre-loaded USB discs provided by UNICEF for social mobilization and to be retained according to SOPs.
I would like to commend the LGA Chairmen who monitored the last campaign and participated in their respective LGA review meetings. I urge the Honourable LGA Chairmen to sustain this momentum in the October campaign.
The October Integrated Polio Vaccination Campaign presents another opportunity for us to work towards eradicating polio. Everyone has a role to play, including the media.
I urge the media to disseminate accurate information on information about Measles-Rubella Integrated polio vaccination campaign and use various channels to mobilize caregivers, parents, communities and stakeholders to make children available for vaccination. Vaccines are provided free by the government, are effective and safe.
Let us take all necessary actions to eradicate polio in Kano State and indeed Nigeria!
Thank you!