By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The federal government is set to launch the first ever measles rubella vaccine integrated immunization into Nigeria’s routine immunization campaign on October 6, 2025.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, represented by the Director of Advocacy and Communication, Dr. Landa Aliyu Mohammed, who disclosed this at a media engagement in Abuja, said it is the first of its kind in Africa.
He stated that it is a landmark immunization initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to protect millions of U5 children from preventable diseases.
He said, “Nigeria is preparing for a health campaign starting in October 2025. It will be a model of all campaigns, the largest in the history of Africa. This campaign will also signal the introduction of the measles-rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization.”
Furthermore, this campaign will integrate several life-saving vaccines, including routine immunization for children aged 0–23 months, measles-rubella vaccine for children aged 9 months–14 years, HPV vaccine for adolescent girls, and polio vaccine for children aged 0–59 months.
Aina who had called on the media to disseminate the information, however warned against misinformation, which he described as one of the biggest threats to vaccine rollouts.
“We are not saying the media propagate rumors, but you are indispensable partners in countering misinformation. Your role is to provide accurate information on the benefits of vaccination, as you have done in the past,” he told journalists.
UNICEF Health Manager for Immunization ,Shaikh Kabir stated that the exercise was one of the most ambitious public health interventions in Nigeria’s history.
“This is a historic opportunity for Nigerian children. All children aged 9 to 14 years will receive the measles-rubella vaccine to shield them from these killer diseases, while children under five children will also receive polio vaccines,” Kabir said.
According to him, the campaign will be rolled out in two phases between October 2025 and February 2026, and it will target multiple diseases simultaneously, including neglected tropical diseases. Kabir urged the media to drive public demand for vaccines.
“Your role is paramount in building awareness, countering misinformation, and strengthening community trust.”
Non-Polio SIAs Consultant with AFENET Nigeria, Dr. Frank Obi, assured parents of the safety of the new measles-rubella vaccine.
Obi explained, vaccine is a weakened form of the virus that cannot cause illness but prepares the body to fight off future infections.
“When the real virus shows up, the child’s immune system is already armed and ready to fight back,” he said.
While some children may experience mild side effects such as fever or rash, these were rare and temporary.
“Every vaccination team is fully equipped to manage any adverse events, no matter how minor,” he added.
Speaking on disease surveillance, AFENET’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Consultant, Dr. Baffa Ibrahim, noted that concerns about under-reporting of rubella in Nigeria are due to gaps in laboratory testing.
“Over 60 percent of suspected cases are managed clinically without testing, and rubella is hidden under measles surveillance,” he said.
He warned that the lack of data also affects understanding of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a severe birth defect when pregnant women contract rubella.
“The introduction of the measles-rubella vaccine is therefore critical, as it will protect girls of childbearing age and prevent CRS,” he added.
Coordinator of Communications and Advocacy at the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chima Nwankwo, stressed that immunization is one of the greatest public health achievements of modern times.
“Immunization is a lifelong investment for children. It prevents needless illnesses, reduces disease burden, and increases life expectancy,” he said.
Nwankwo urged the media to highlight real-life community experiences to inspire trust, adding that the media sets the agenda. “If you capture parents’ experiences and show how vaccination is saving lives, others will follow.”
In the same way, Director of Program IVAC/WAVA, Mrs. Goodness Hardly, urged journalists to take ownership of the campaign.
“Journalists and broadcasters are not just conveyors of information; they are influencers of public perception. By lending their voices, they will be saving millions of children’s lives,” she stated.
She added that measles and rubella are highly contagious and can cause pneumonia, blindness, brain damage, and even death if children are not immunized, she added.
Earlier, Dr. Nana Sandah-Abubakar, Director of Community Health Services at NPHCDA, said collaboration was essential for the success of the health campaign.
“Health is everybody’s business. Having the right information is the first step to taking the appropriate actions and correcting any misinformation that might occur,” she said.
She charged journalists to disseminate accurate information and to mobilize parents.
“The awareness that this activity is taking place will guarantee we reach the proper targets and encourage participation.”
Daybreak reports that the integrated health campaign, in collaboration with development partners and civil society, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system while ensuring that no eligible child is left behind.
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