The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday launched the Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign.
At the national flag-off ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the First Lady said the campaign is expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged nine months to under 15 years in two phases.
She described the integrated campaign as the largest health initiative in Africa’s history aimed at immunising millions of children and adolescents against measles, rubella, and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
She noted that, “Measles can cause blindness, permanent disability, and in too many cases, death.
“Its twin disease, rubella, though often silent, is equally harmful, especially to unborn children of infected pregnant women who may be born with blindness, deafness, or serious heart defects.
“These diseases steal the future of our sons and daughters. This flag-off signals a collective national resolve to end the devastation caused by measles and rubella.”
The First Lady highlighted the profound consequences of the twin diseases, not only on families but on communities and the nation itself.
She urged Nigerians to embrace the vaccine wholeheartedly, stressing that “a vaccine in a vial does not save a child.”
“A vaccine in a clinic does not protect a community. Protection only becomes real when that vaccine is injected into the arm of a child.
“Mothers, take your children to be vaccinated. Fathers, support your wives and families to ensure your children are protected.
“To our revered traditional rulers and religious leaders, your voices carry immense weight, use your influence to spread the truth, dispel rumors, and ensure no child is left behind,” she added.
The First Lady thanked traditional and religious leaders for their pivotal roles in the successful rollout of the HPV vaccine.
“These vaccines are safe, effective, and free. They are among the greatest gifts of modern medicine, saving lives, preventing disease, and allowing our children the chance to grow, learn, and thrive,” she stated.
The First Lady then flagged off the campaign, setting into motion a nationwide drive expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years in two phases.
The campaign will also integrate vaccination efforts against polio and the rollout of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls, combining resources to optimise health impact.
According to the First Lady’s Office, the campaign targets children aged 9 months to 14 years, and aligns with international best practices and Nigeria’s commitments under the Immunisation Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals.
“It represents a bold national strategy to eliminate measles and rubella, improve school attendance, and secure the nation’s future,” the Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, explained.
Speaking at the national flag-off ceremony the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the effort marks a “historic moment” in Nigeria’s health system, representing not just a vaccination drive but “a reimagination of how health services reach every Nigerian.”
“This is not only about vaccination,” Pate said, adding “It is about reimagining how we deliver health services to our people, getting as close to them as we can, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Pate said the Federal Government is on track to add 4,800 fully functional health centres by the end of 2026.
“Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women are now enrolled in the Mothers and Babies Implementation programme and are being supported throughout pregnancy and delivery,” he said, adding that more than 15,000 women have benefited from President Tinubu’s Free Emergency Obstetric Care Initiative.
Pate praised the First Lady, saying her advocacy has been instrumental in driving health campaigns across the country.
“You have personally invested your own resources, not government funds, to reach our women and children. You have given your time, treasure, and talent,” he said, citing her personal visits to states such as Borno, Bauchi, and Lagos.
Pate also extended gratitude to state governors, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, who he said have been vital to Nigeria’s health gains.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director for Immunisation and Disease Control at the Gates Foundation Nigeria, Yusuf Yusufari, emphasised the resilience and progress of Nigeria’s immunisation journey.
Yusufari recalled that two years ago, Nigeria introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation programme at the same venue, led by First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Nigeria became a global exemplar in protecting young girls from cervical cancer,” he said, affirming that the campaign launched shares that same critical goal: “No child (and woman) in Nigeria, and indeed globally, should be left unprotected and left to die from preventable diseases.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Senior Programme Manager for Nigeria, Tarcile Mballa, highlighted the partnership between Gavi and Nigeria that has spanned two decades with investments exceeding $2.6bn.
Mballa emphasised the ambitious scope of the campaign, describing it as a convergence of “ambition and opportunity” with Nigeria leading public health innovation on the continent.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, stressed the importance of protecting children’s health as a national priority.
“We are all aware of measles, but I am very positive many here have never heard of rubella, like me. We must continue to create awareness throughout the country,” he stated.
Highlighting the vital role of mothers in the fight for child health, the Ooni called on all Nigerians to prioritise the wellbeing of children, calling them the “future of our country.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, also emphasised that advocacy and education, rather than enforcement, will be crucial for Nigeria’s rubella vaccine campaign to succeed.
He recalled the country’s successful polio eradication efforts, attributing it to community persuasion rather than coercion.
“We defeated polio not by force but by convincing people that the vaccine is safe.
“We held seminars with religious leaders to educate communities and show that the vaccine is not anti-childbirth or harmful in any way.”
The Sultan praised the First Lady’s commitment, describing her efforts across the nation as inspiring.
“Her total commitment strengthens us, and we fully support government programs that advance the health of our nation,” he stated.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed support and optimism for the initiative aimed at protecting children and strengthening public health nationwide.
Okoh described the campaign as a golden opportunity towards reducing preventable childhood deaths and strengthening public health in our nation.
For his part, the ED/CEO, of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, earlier described the campaign as “the mother of all campaigns, the largest in the history of Africa.”
Aina said introducing the measles-rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunisation schedule will strengthen the fight against preventable diseases.
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