Taraba state government has targeted to vaccinate not fewer than 1.6 million children for the next month’s immunisation campaign against Measles-Rubella in the state.
The vaccination of the children against the measles is scheduled to kick-start on October 18–27 this year.
Chido Zakari, who represents the Director, Taraba Primary Healthcare Development Agency (TSPHCDA), disclosed this on Tuesday during a one-day stakeholders meeting in Jalingo, Taraba state capital.
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Zakari said the campaign would cover all 16 local governments and the two special development areas of the state.
He confirmed that arrangements had been finalised in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and development partners, including UNICEF, to ensure a successful exercise.
He further cited the recent success of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign as motivation for the upcoming effort, calling on stakeholders to intensify mobilisation to reach every eligible child.
The Taraba state Immunisation Officer, Dr. Tsamu Yaro, during his remarks, emphasised that Nigeria continues to contribute significantly to the global burden of measles, rubella, and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2). He said the campaign is designed to close immunity gaps.
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“The Measles-Rubella vaccine offers broader protection than the measles-only vaccine,” Yaro said. “It not only protects children who have never received rubella immunisation but also reduces the risk of congenital rubella syndrome. Yaro stated
Our correspondent gathered that the exercise is part of a nationwide effort to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases and improve child health outcomes across Nigeria.
