MSF urges parents to join Sokoto’s vaccination campaign

The international humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières also known as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in partnership with the Sokoto state Ministry of Health, is encouraging community members in Sokoto to participate in a vaccination campaign that will help reduce number of children suffering from potentially fatal diseases including measles and diphtheria.

These diseases can cause long-term complications if contracted.

In 2024, in Nigeria, MSF treated over 17,000 cases of measles, which, if left untreated can cause pneumonia, brain damage or in some severe cases.

The joint MSF and Ministry of Health campaign is immunising children under five years old using a measles vaccine and the Penta-5 vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and haemophilus influenzae type b.

MSF is also conducting catch-up vaccines for children who may have missed their recommended doses of vaccines for polio, rotavirus and tuberculosis, among others.

The campaign is underway in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Wamako, and Dange Shuni Local Government Areas (LGAs). Additionally, there are catch-up routine vaccinations taking place at four facilities in rural communities of Wamako, and five facilities each in Dange Shuni and Bodinga LGAs.

In the first round of the vaccination exercise that started in early November 2024, 53,095 children were vaccinated across six Local Government Areas in Sokoto state.

Among these, 33,617 children, around 63 percent, had not received any vaccine doses prior to this campaign. This stage of the campaign will run until late February.

“We are committed to collaborating with the government to ensure every child is vaccinated against these deadly diseases,” says Dr. Ahmad Bilal, MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria.

Measles has become endemic in many parts of Northern Nigeria with repetitive spikes, causing public health consequences. This disease is closely linked to malnutrition due to its harmful effects on the gastrointestinal lining.

This damage increases a child’s vulnerability to malnutrition, which in turn weakens the immune system, making them more susceptible to other vaccine-preventable diseases. This cycle can create lasting impacts on the child into adulthood and can even be fatal.

“This exercise is very important because measles is extremely contagious and especially dangerous for young children, particularly those suffering from malnutrition or other medical issues,” says Dr. Bilal.