By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

Three million children between the ages of nine months and 14 years are expected to be vaccinated across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State following the official launch of the Measles–Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign by the state government in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

The integrated, week-long exercise is scheduled to run until February 5, 2026.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, said the campaign was driven by compelling statistics that highlight the urgent need to tackle measles and rubella, which remain among the leading causes of preventable childhood illnesses and deaths, particularly in areas with low immunisation coverage.

She noted that although global measles-related deaths have declined by 88 per cent since 2000, the disease still accounted for an estimated 95,000 deaths worldwide last year, with children under five years most affected.

Describing the vaccination exercise as a decisive intervention, Mrs Abiodun stressed that measles and rubella are far from mild childhood illnesses, warning that they can result in severe complications such as pneumonia, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and, in the case of rubella, miscarriage, stillbirth and Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

“Sadly, about 80 per cent of these deaths occur in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. These diseases are preventable, yet they continue to endanger the lives and wellbeing of children where vaccination coverage is insufficient,” she said.

She added that the campaign represents a collective commitment to ending vaccine preventable diseases, describing the MR vaccine as one of the safest, most effective and affordable public health interventions available. She also cautioned parents against allowing fear or misinformation to hinder their children’s immunisation.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, explained that the campaign aligns with national health priorities, noting that the Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), approved the inclusion of the MR vaccine in Nigeria’s Routine Immunisation Schedule due to the persistent disease burden.

Dr Coker disclosed that Ogun State aims to vaccinate over 2.9 million eligible children during the campaign, which will run from January 27 to February 5, 2026. She said the initiative seeks to reduce childhood illness and mortality, prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome, and strengthen disease surveillance and routine immunisation systems across the state.

“Measles and rubella remain major contributors to childhood deaths globally and pose serious risks to pregnant women, often leading to lifelong complications for unborn children,” she said, adding that the campaign aligns with the state’s commitment to leaving no child behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO), Laura Niclochlainn commended the Ogun State Government for its extensive preparations, describing the measles–rubella campaign as the largest of its kind globally. She revealed that over 100 million children have been vaccinated in Nigeria so far.

“At the global level, we develop strategies and policies to eliminate measles and rubella, and it is exciting to see Nigeria embracing this vaccine. Coverage must remain high. All eyes are on Nigeria, and what Ogun State is doing is truly remarkable,” she said.

In his closing remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary HealthCare Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, expressed appreciation to development partners and urged parents across the state to ensure their children are presented for vaccination.