FIC Report (Sokoto State) – The Sokoto state Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced sensitisation of citizens on the importance of measles-rebullan and polio vaccinations, targeting approximately two million children across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
The communications specialist of UNICEF Nigeria, Priyanka Khanna,stated this at the state integrated measles-rebulla and polio vaccinations campaign for mass mobilisation and awareness for journalists and social media influencers, held at the Specialist Hospital,Sokoto,on Saturday 4th October, 2025.
Khanna, said that the vaccinations exercise, scheduled to start on Monday 6th October, is expected to last for 10 days with a 2 day mop up exercise between 16th and 17th October, 2025. The collaboration effort aims to educate caregivers on the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines in protecting children against deadly diseases.
She stated that, UNICEF was fully prepared to ensure a hitch-free exercise, adding that UNICEF supported the country with the procurement and distribution of vaccines to all the states of the federation.
Also speaking, the health promotion officer, Shuaibu Shehu, emphasised the need for parents to make their children available for the routine vaccinations next week. According to him, measles is a contagious disease caused by the measles virus spreading easily when an affected person coughs and sneezes, while rebulla known as German measles is a contagious disease caused by the rebulla virus, presenting a mild form of measles. These diseases can have severe consequences, including pneumonia, brain damage and even death. He reassured parents that the vaccines are safe and effective, highlighting the importance of protecting children against measles-rebulla and polio.
The targeted population are children aged 9 months to 14 years and the vaccinations exercise is expected to be carried out in all the 23 Local Government Areas in Sokoto state, including health facilities, primary and secondary schools and other designated centers.
The campaign is part of a broader effort to promote routine immunisation and protect children from Preventable diseases. The Sokoto state Government and UNICEF are working towards the success of the vaccination derive, with health workers deployed to cover every part of the state.
The stakeholders meeting brought together health care professionals, Government officials, journalists and social media influencers.
Signed
Ramatu Sani (Mrs),
Head of Centre,
FIC, Sokoto.
5th-10-2025.
