In a remarkable show of commitment to child health and national progress, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has officially launched the much-anticipated Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign.
The integrated campaign is the largest health initiative in Africa’s history aimed at immunizing millions of children and adolescents against measles, rubella, and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
At the National Flag-off ceremony, the First Lady said the campaign is a bold step towards protecting the lives and the future of Nigerian children.
“This flag-off signals a collective national resolve to end the devastation caused by measles and rubella. These diseases steal the future of our sons and daughters,”.
“Measles can cause blindness, permanent disability, and in too many cases, death. Its twin disease, rubella, though often silent, is equally harmful, especially to unborn children of infected pregnant women who may be born with blindness, deafness, or serious heart defects.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu highlighted the profound consequences of these diseases, not only on families but on communities and the nation itself.
She urged Nigerians to embrace the vaccine wholeheartedly, stressing that “a vaccine in a vial does not save a child. A vaccine in a clinic does not protect a community. Protection only becomes real when that vaccine is injected into the arm of a child.”
“Mothers, take your children to be vaccinated. Fathers, support your wives and families to ensure your children are protected. To our revered traditional rulers and religious leaders, your voices carry immense weight—use your influence to spread the truth, dispel rumors, and ensure no child is left behind.”
She expressed appreciation for the pivotal roles traditional and religious leaders played in the successful rollout of the HPV vaccine.
“These vaccines are safe, effective, and free”.
“They are among the greatest gifts of modern medicine, saving lives, preventing disease, and allowing our children the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.”
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu then officially flagged off the campaign, setting into motion a nationwide drive expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged 9 months to under 15 years in two phases. The campaign also integrates vaccination efforts against polio and the rollout of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls, combining resources to optimize health impact.
The campaign, which targets children aged 9 months to 14 years, aligns with international best practices and Nigeria’s commitments under the Immunization Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals. It represents a bold national strategy to eliminate measles and rubella, improve school attendance, and secure the nation’s future.
Deputy Director for Immunization and Disease Control at the Gates Foundation Nigeria, Yusuf Yusufari, emphasized the resilience and progress of Nigeria’s immunization journey.
He recalled that two years ago, Nigeria introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization programme at the same venue, led by First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Nigeria became a global exemplar in protecting young girls from cervical cancer,” he said, affirming that the campaign launched shares that same critical goal: “No child (and woman) in Nigeria, and indeed globally, should be left unprotected and left to die from preventable diseases.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Senior Programme Manager for Nigeria, Tarcile Mballa, highlighted the historic partnership between Gavi and Nigeria that has spanned two decades with investments exceeding $2.6 billion.
She emphasized the ambitious scope of the campaign, describing it as a convergence of “ambition and opportunity” with Nigeria leading public health innovation on the continent.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi stressed the importance of protecting children’s health as a national priority.
“We are all aware of measles, but I am very positive many here have never heard of rubella, like me. We must continue to create awareness throughout the country”.
Highlighting the vital role of mothers in the fight for child health, the Ooni called on all Nigerians to prioritise the wellbeing of children, calling them the “future of our country.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, also emphasized that advocacy and education, rather than enforcement, will be crucial for Nigeria’s rubella vaccine campaign to succeed.
He recalled the country’s successful polio eradication efforts, attributing it to community persuasion rather than coercion.
“We defeated polio not by force but by convincing people that the vaccine is safe. We held seminars with religious leaders to educate communities and show that the vaccine is not anti-childbirth or harmful in any way.”
The Sultan praised the commitment of the First Lady, describing her efforts across the nation as inspiring.
“Her total commitment strengthens us, and we fully support government programs that advance the health of our nation”.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed profound support and optimism for the initiative aimed at protecting children and strengthening public health nationwide.
He described the campaign as a golden opportunity towards reducing preventable childhood deaths and strengthening public health in our nation.
The ED/CEODr. Muyi Aina earlier described the campaign as “the mother of all campaigns, the largest in the history of Africa,” underlining its significance in introducing the measles-rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization schedule and strengthening the fight against preventable diseases.
