FIC Report (Kwara State) – Kwara State Government has launched an integrated vaccination campaign to prevent Measles Rubella and Polio diseases among vulnerable groups in the state.
The exercise, which will last for 10 days – beginning from Saturday 11th October 2025 — is expected to cover at least 1.8 million children whose ages range between 9 months and 14 years (for Measles Rubella vaccine) and zero to 5 years for oral polio vaccine.
The programme was organised by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO), among other development partners.
At the flag off ceremony in Ilorin, Kwara’s First Lady, Amb. Prof Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said the initiative is not just a policy milestone but a life-saving intervention for Kwara children and families.
She called on all parents and guardians to present their children within the age range for the vaccination.
“I commend the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and all development partners for the efforts that culminated in the launch of the roll out of Measles Rubella Vaccine in the state,” First Lady Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq said.
The First Lady enjoined relevant stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, community heads, and the media, to complement government’s efforts in propagating the benefits of measles rubella and polio vaccines.
Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof Nusirat Elelu, said the agency is deploying 8,657 trained personnel, including health workers, supervisors, and security personnel to carry out the campaign.
“Measles remains one of the most contagious and fatal viral diseases affecting young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine,” she said.
“Between years 2000 and 2023, it is estimated that measles vaccination alone averted over 60 million deaths globally. Yet, the disease remains endemic in many developing countries, particularly Africa and Asia.”
Prof Elelu said Rubella poses a serious risk to pregnant women, such as miscarriage, fetal death, or the birth of infants with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
Assuring that the agency will not rest on its oars to safeguard the people’s health, Elelu said immunization, ante-natal and all non-complicated delivery are given free of charge across primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in the state.
Surveillance Officer for World Health Organization (WHO), Mrs Abdulkadir Rashidat, said the vaccines are safe, effective and suitable to protect the children, calling on all parents and community leaders to accord the vaccination teams the needed support to function.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Chief Whip, Kwara House of Assembly, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Seun Oguniyi; Cabinet members; Acting Head of Service, Kwara State, Mrs Shittu Olufunke Mercy; Chairman, State Civil Service Commission, Hajia Habibat Yusuf; Permanent Secretaries among others.
Signed
FADEYI, B. A. (PIO)
FIC, Ilorin.
