With measles and rubella remaining major causes of child illness in Nigeria, the Taraba State Government has introduced a mass vaccination drive targeting 1.6 million children to improve immunity and strengthen public health outcomes.
Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony in Jalingo, the state capital, the First Lady of Taraba State,Agyin Agbu Kefas, called for collective action among parents, caregivers, health workers, and development partners to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.
“Let us work hand in hand to ensure that no child is left behind, and that measles and rubella become diseases of the past in Taraba State,” Agyin said.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Bodiya Buma, the First Lady assured that the vaccines are safe, effective, and free, urging parents to take their children to the nearest health centres and outreach points for immunisation.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nuhu Tukura, described measles and rubella as serious threats to child health but emphasised that they can be prevented through timely vaccination. He explained that the campaign aims to expand immunisation coverage and protect thousands of children across all communities in the state.
During the ten-day exercise, children aged 9 months to 14 years will receive the measles-rubella vaccine, while children aged 0 to 59 months will be vaccinated against polio. Additionally, girls aged 9 years will receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer later in life.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, health officials, and development partners pledged their full support for the campaign, describing it as a crucial step toward eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases in Taraba State.
The event concluded with an appeal for parents and caregivers to participate actively in the exercise, as officials expressed confidence that the campaign will significantly reduce childhood morbidity and mortality and move Taraba closer to achieving universal immunisation coverage.
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