Benin: The Edo government has announced its plan to launch a statewide vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 2.2 million children against measles and rubella. The campaign is set to target children aged from zero months to 14 years.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Eseigbe Efeomon, revealed that the campaign will occur from January 20 to January 30, 2026. This effort is part of a broader initiative to curb vaccine-preventable diseases in the state. Efeomon emphasized that the campaign aims to reduce the incidence of measles and rubella and protect children from preventable illnesses through comprehensive immunisation.
Efeomon explained that the vaccination activities would be conducted across all 18 local government areas within the state. The services will be accessible at designated public health facilities and temporary vaccination posts in communities. He assured that the vaccines are free, safe, and effective, and would be administered by trained and qualified health workers.
The vaccination campaign forms part of Nigeria’s national strategy to eliminate measles and rubella. Efeomon highlighted that the national target is to reduce measles cases to 10 per million population by 2026 and further decrease it to one per million by 2030. He stressed the importance of sustained vaccination efforts and increased population immunity to achieve these targets.
The WHO Local Government Facilitator, Mr. Ajaero Paul, described measles and rubella as significant causes of child deaths and congenital abnormalities globally. He noted that both diseases are entirely preventable through the use of the combined measles-rubella vaccine. Paul urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the vaccination at designated centers.
Yakubu Suleiman, a UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Health Officer, reiterated the safety and effectiveness of the measles-rubella vaccine, encouraging widespread participation in the campaign.