By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has unveiled plans to vaccinate no fewer than 1.6 million children during the upcoming Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, scheduled to run from October 18 to 27, 2025.
The announcement was made at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Jalingo, organized by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA) in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and the Social Mobilization Network.
Representing the agency, the Director of Community Health, Chido Zakari, said the campaign will be implemented across all 16 local government areas and special development areas of the state. He noted that preparations have been concluded in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and development partners, including UNICEF, to ensure smooth execution.
Zakari pointed to the recent success of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination exercise in the state as a driving force for the upcoming campaign. He urged stakeholders to intensify sensitization efforts to guarantee that every eligible child is reached.
Also speaking, the State Immunization Officer, Dr. Tsamu Yaro, stressed that Nigeria still accounts for a significant share of the global burden of measles, rubella, and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2). According to him, the campaign seeks to bridge immunity gaps and enhance child survival.
“The Measles-Rubella vaccine offers broader protection than the measles-only vaccine,” Yaro explained. “It protects children who have never received rubella immunization and significantly reduces the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.”
Representatives from MDAs and the Chigeri Foundation pledged support for the exercise, with the foundation committing to mobilize traditional rulers and community leaders for grassroots participation.
Health officials reassured parents and guardians of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, urging them to make sure no child is left behind.
The exercise forms part of a nationwide initiative to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases and strengthen child health outcomes across Nigeria.
