FIC Report (Ekiti State) – As part of efforts to protect children and close existing immunity gaps across the state, Ekiti State is set to introduce Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccine into its immunization programme in January 2026.
‎‎This was disclosed during a media orientation and sensitization meeting organized by the Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) at the Nurses House, Ado-Ekiti, ahead of the statewide vaccination campaign.
‎Speaking at the gathering, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Segun Adeoye, described immunization as one of the most effective public health interventions globally, stressing its critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality among children and mothers.
‎According to him, reaching every household directly is practically impossible.
He emphasized that media remained an indispensable partner in public health campaign saying media credibility enhances community confidence.
‎Dr. Adeoye explained that the media orientation was organized to properly equip journalists with accurate information on the MR vaccine, its safety, effectiveness, target population, and campaign strategies, in order to ensure consistent and responsible public messaging. Adding that collaboration between the health sector and the media is essential in combating misinformation, myths, and public concerns surrounding vaccination.
‎The State Immunization Officer, Mrs. Ogunlola Omolabake, disclosed that the MR vaccine would be introduced into routine immunization in the third week of January, preceded by a 10-day statewide vaccination campaign.
She explained that the campaign would target children aged 9 months to 14 years, after which the vaccine would become part of routine immunization for children at 9 months and 15 months as first and second doses respectively, replacing the existing stand alone measles vaccine.
‎Mrs. Ogunlola stated that the campaign targets 17% of Ekiti State’s total population, noting that achieving between 90% and 95% of the target would be considered a successful implementation.
She added that both administrative coverage data and post-campaign surveys would be used to assess the effectiveness of the exercise.
‎On implementation strategies, she revealed that all 317 health facilities offering routine immunization across the state would remain open throughout the campaign period.
In addition, mobile teams would be deployed to communities to set up temporary vaccination posts, while targeted outreach would be carried out in rural areas, factory settlements, Fulani camps, and security-compromised locations, in collaboration with security agencies where necessary.
‎The State Technical Assistant with the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Ebube Eronini, described the campaign as a critical intervention aimed at closing immunity gaps against highly contagious measles and rubella infections. She noted that the exercise would cover all communities and settlements in Ekiti State to ensure that no eligible child is left behind.
‎Dr. Eronini explained that measles, a highly contagious viral disease, can lead to severe complications such as malnutrition, blindness, encephalitis, and death, particularly among children under age five.
She added that rubella poses serious risks to pregnant women, often resulting in congenital rubella syndrome, which can cause hearing loss, heart defects, and visual impairment in infants.
‎Calling for widespread participation, the State Technical Assistant for the International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), Mrs. Aladenika Folakemi, urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the campaign window, noting that children above the eligible age would no longer have access to the vaccine once it is fully integrated into routine immunization.
‎On community engagement, the State Health Educator, Dr. Mrs. Olajumoke Oguntoye, remarked that extensive advocacy and sensitization activities had already been carried out across all 16 local government areas of the state, stating that traditional rulers, religious leaders, school authorities, parent-teacher association, and education stakeholders have been engaged and have endorsed the vaccination exercise.
Signed
Ayeni. O.T.
CIA & PRO
18/12/2025.
