NPHCDA to begin vaccination against measles-rubella Oct 6

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), on Friday disclosed that it would commence the first phase of vaccination against measles-rubella for children between ages 9 months and 14 years with effect from October 6. The Director of Advocacy and Communication at the agency, Dr Ladan Aliyu, said this in Abuja during a media […]

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), on Friday disclosed that it would commence the first phase of vaccination against measles-rubella for children between ages 9 months and 14 years with effect from October 6.

The Director of Advocacy and Communication at the agency, Dr Ladan Aliyu, said this in Abuja during a media orientation on the integrated campaign organised for health reporters and editors.

 Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious disease caused by the rubella virus and appears like a mild form of measles disease.

Among its symptoms are low-grade fever, headache, mild pink eye, general discomfort, swollen and enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, cough and runny nose.

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Dr Aliyu explained that the vaccination against measles-rubella is part of the agency’s integrated vaccination campaign, which will also cover routine immunisation for children ages 0–23 months; polio immunisation for children ages 0–59 months; HPV vaccine for girls of 9 years; malaria Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and immunisation against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

He described the October 2025 campaign as “the mother of all campaigns,” noting that it would be the largest vaccination exercise in Africa’s history and would formally introduce the measles-rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunisation schedule.

“The media are our indispensable partners in the implementation of our immunisation intervention. We cannot do without you; and we count on you to help dispel rumours and misinformation about vaccines by providing factual and correct information to the public,” he said.

According to him, new vaccine introduction often comes with challenges, such as rumours and misconceptions, but the agency expects the support of the media to build trust and boost public confidence in the vaccines.

Giving an overview of the integrated campaign, Dr Frank Obi, a consultant with AFENET Nigeria, said the stream 1 of the first phase of the campaign, which holds between October 6 and 15, 2025, will cover North-West states and Oyo, while the stream 2, which holds from October 18 to 27, 2025, will cover North-East states.

He said the stream 1 of the second phase of the campaign, which holds between January 20 and 29, 2026, would cover the South-West and South-South states, while the stream 2 of the second phase, which holds between February 4 and 13, 2026, would cover the South Eastern states and parts of South-South.

He said the campaign targeted 160 million children, adding that the measles rubella vaccines were being introduced to reduce the burden of measles and rubella infection in the country.

According to him, during the campaign, vaccinations will be provided for children aged 9 months to 14 years at all health facilities offering routine immunisation and temporary vaccination posts in designated places at to no cost to ensure accessibility.

He said measles rubella vaccine was a safe and effective combination vaccine certified by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which protects against both measles and rubella, adding that it has been widely used globally since 1979.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Community Health Service at the NPHCDA, Dr Nana Sanda Abubakar, urged journalists to use their platforms to ensure that parents and caregivers present their children for vaccination, warning that missing the opportunity could leave them exposed to life-threatening diseases.

The NPHCDA called on parents, caregivers, community leaders and faith-based organisations to mobilise children within the targeted age groups for the free vaccination exercise, assuring that the vaccines are safe, effective and essential for the wellbeing of Nigerian children.