Measles-Rubella:Yobe Launches Pioneering Integrated Immunization Campaign

From Alhaji Yusuf, Damaturu

The Yobe State Government has launched Nigeria’s first-ever integrated health campaign, combining five key health interventions into a single initiative.

The campaign will run from October 18th to 28th, followed by a two-day mop-up operation. It was unveiled at a dialogue with journalists, social media influencers, and partners including UNICEF, the WHO, and the Gates Foundation, with the aim of serving as a model for efficient health service delivery across Nigeria and Africa.

The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Babagana Kundi Machina, charged the media with the critical role of mobilizing the public, raising awareness, and combating vaccine misinformation.

Represented by the Director of Immunization, Dr. Umar Chiromari, Dr. Machina explained the campaign’s key components. These include a new combined Measles-Rubella vaccine for children aged 9 months to 14 years, continued polio vaccination (nOPV2), routine immunizations, and the distribution of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention drugs.

Other components are house-to-house token distribution for mosquito nets, which will be redeemable on November 7th.

Dr. Musa Usman Matazu, a Monitoring Consultant for the Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundations, underscored the media’s duty to disseminate information with integrity.

He addressed the challenge of vaccine hesitancy, stating, “People often believe fake information from online sources over the credible advice of local medical professionals.”

“The campaign’s success hinges on effective communication to ensure community participation in these life-saving services,” Dr. Matazu said.