Lafia, Sept. 2, 2025 — The Nasarawa State Government has urged residents across its 13 Local Government Areas to participate fully in the Federal Government’s upcoming immunisation campaign aimed at eliminating Measles and Rubella (MR).

The call was made on Tuesday in Lafia by the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Usman Iskilu-Saleh, during a media orientation exercise ahead of the campaign’s flag-off. The nationwide exercise will run from October 4 to 14, 2025.

Represented by the Agency’s Director of Immunisation, Ismaila Oko, Iskilu-Saleh said the orientation was designed to equip journalists with accurate information about the MR vaccine to counter misinformation and boost public acceptance.

“The MR vaccine was developed as a single shot to protect children against both measles and rubella. It will be administered to children between nine months and 14 years across designated health facilities in the state,” he explained.

He added that after the campaign, the MR vaccine would become part of routine immunisation in Nasarawa State.

Government, Experts Rally Support

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibrahim Tanko, commended the initiative and called for messages about the vaccine to be translated into local languages for greater reach in rural communities.

A consultant on the campaign, Kayode Olawuyi, noted that the nationwide exercise is targeting over 104 million children, stressing that vaccination was crucial because measles and rubella are highly contagious.

“Children within this age group are more prone to catching and spreading the diseases. Vaccinating them helps protect the entire community,” Olawuyi said.

He emphasised that the MR vaccine is safe, effective, and endorsed by both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Nigeria’s National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Also speaking, WHO Technical Assistant in Nasarawa State, Hassana Ibrahim, explained that the vaccine would be given free of charge via injection in the upper left arm. She said it would reduce outbreaks and safeguard vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and young children.

Earlier, resource person Kalu Idika underscored the vital role of the media in shaping public perception about the vaccine, calling on journalists to lead efforts in sensitisation and countering false narratives.