The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that about 7.8 million children in Kano State will be vaccinated against measles and rubella during the Integrated Measles–Rubella and Polio Vaccination Campaign scheduled to begin on October 6.
Mr. Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, made this known on Monday during a media dialogue and orientation session held ahead of the campaign. He said the exercise will run nationwide in two phases between October 2025 and February 2026.
“Our gathering highlights the crucial role the media plays in ensuring the well-being of children,” Farah said, stressing the importance of accurate information in mobilising communities for the campaign.
He explained that the nationwide exercise is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gavi, the Gates Foundation, civil society groups, and the Kano State Government.
“Kano State falls under Phase One of the national campaign, which will cover 21 states in two streams between October 6 and 17, 2025,” he noted.
According to Farah, 3.9 million children under five years in Kano will also be targeted with polio vaccines, supported by 3,347 vaccination teams, 44 local government vaccine accountability officers, and nearly 5,000 community mobilisers. In total, 7.8 million children aged between nine months and 14 years will receive the measles–rubella vaccine.
He added that despite progress, Kano had recorded three cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in 2025, down from 31 cases in 2024. With only two months left to meet the national target of stopping transmission, he urged the state government to ensure timely flag-offs, prompt release of counterpart funds, and stronger social mobilisation.
Also speaking, Dr. Ahmed Tijani, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, described the integrated campaign as the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting 106 million children across Nigeria. He said the integration of measles–rubella, routine immunisation (including hepatitis and HPV vaccines), polio, and onchocerciasis was designed to improve efficiency, save costs, and reduce the burden of multiple campaigns on communities.
Kano State NPHCDA Coordinator, Maryam Umar, appealed to the media to intensify sensitisation efforts, noting that caregivers must clearly understand the benefits of vaccination and the target age groups.
“Our message is clear: we depend on you, the media, to share accurate information on the campaign and ensure no child is left behind,” she said.
