NPHCDA, partners hold awareness walk for measles-rubella vaccination campaign

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and its partners on Saturday held a health walk in Abuja to raise awareness for the ongoing Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign. The walk, which began at the Unity Fountain and ended at Wuse Market, was part of efforts to sensitize Nigerians to the importance of immunizing children […]

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and its partners on Saturday held a health walk in Abuja to raise awareness for the ongoing Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign.

The walk, which began at the Unity Fountain and ended at Wuse Market, was part of efforts to sensitize Nigerians to the importance of immunizing children against measles, rubella, and other preventable diseases.

Speaking during the event, the Director of Disease Control and Immunization at NPHCDA, Dr. Garba Ahmed Rufai, said the walk formed part of a broader national effort to mobilize communities for the ongoing vaccination exercise across 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“This is what we call a health walk — part of our awareness campaign for the ongoing Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign currently taking place in 11 states and the FCT,” Rufai said.

He explained that the campaign targets children aged 0 to 14 years, who are being vaccinated with the Measles-Rubella vaccine, polio vaccine, HPV vaccine for girls aged nine, and other routine immunizations.

Rufai noted that the NPHCDA was collaborating with other health programs, including malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) initiatives, to ensure a comprehensive approach to disease prevention.

“Our goal is to vaccinate 106 million Nigerians by the end of February,” he said, urging parents and caregivers to take advantage of the free vaccination.

“When a child contracts a preventable disease like measles, the complications can be devastating — something as simple as measles can cause blindness. I urge all Nigerians to come out and get their children vaccinated.”

Also speaking, Dr. Eugene Iwasa, a consultant with the Center for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (CWINS), said the Measles-Rubella campaign represents a significant step in safeguarding children’s health.

“Measles and rubella are debilitating diseases that can lead to blindness, deafness, heart defects, and mental impairment,” he said.

“The government has made this vaccine available free of charge for all children aged nine months to 14 years. We are calling on parents, caregivers, schools, and community leaders to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.”

Adding her voice, Chika Oluwakemi Offor, Chief Executive Officer of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, described the campaign as a landmark effort to protect millions of Nigerian children from preventable diseases.

“What we are witnessing today is truly remarkable. It’s a continuation of the great work Nigeria is doing through the Integrated Measles-Rubella Campaign — a nationwide effort aimed at reaching 106 million children,” she said.

“This is the largest health campaign in Africa, designed to protect and save the lives of over 100 million children. Today is indeed a day of action, of hope, and of commitment to safeguarding the future of our children.”

Offor said her organization and other civil society partners were on the ground to complement government efforts by engaging directly with parents and caregivers.

“We are out here walking to the markets, talking to families, sharing flyers, and encouraging everyone to take their children for vaccination. Our message is simple — from nine months to 14 years, every child must be vaccinated.

“This campaign is not just about measles and rubella — it also supports routine immunization, the HPV vaccine for girls, and efforts to tackle neglected tropical diseases,” she added.

Offor urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the free vaccination to protect their children, stressing that collective participation would help Nigeria achieve a healthier, disease-free future.

The Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign, which began in selected states and the FCT, will continue in phases, with the next rollout scheduled for October 18.