Nigeria to Vaccinate 2M Kids Against Measles, Rubella

Imagine health workers hiring boats to paddle through remote river villages, all to make sure every child gets a lifesaving vaccine. That's exactly what's happening in Anambra State, Nigeria, where officials are targeting over 2 million children for free measles and rubella protection.

The ambitious campaign runs February 4-15, 2026, reaching kids aged nine months to 14 years old. It's a partnership between the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency and UNICEF, and they're not waiting for families to come to them.

Health teams will visit 330 locations including schools, markets, churches, and mosques. They're even bringing vaccines to motor parks and using boats to reach riverine communities that are typically hard to access.

"We will not wait for mothers to bring their children to primary healthcare centres," said State Health Educator Uju Onwuegbuzina. The proactive approach ensures that geography and transportation won't stand between any child and protection from these preventable diseases.

Mrs. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary of the health agency, reassured parents about vaccine safety. "We were all vaccinated as children and we are alive today," she said, emphasizing that only trained and licensed health practitioners will administer the shots.

The stakes are real. Dr. Mary Queen Uju, a pediatrician at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, explained that vaccines prevent about five million deaths globally every year. When vaccination rates drop, diseases spread faster and mortality rates climb.

The Ripple Effect

This campaign shows how determined action can protect entire communities. When more people get vaccinated, herd immunity grows stronger, shielding even those who can't receive vaccines for medical reasons. One vaccinated child helps protect siblings, classmates, and neighbors.

UNICEF's Victor James stressed that no child should suffer from measles or rubella when prevention is available. The organization's commitment reflects a growing global movement to eliminate preventable childhood diseases through accessible, free immunization programs.

The comprehensive approach addresses a common barrier to vaccination: access. By bringing vaccines directly to where families live, work, worship, and shop, health officials are removing every possible obstacle between children and protection.

Nigeria's commitment to reaching every child, no matter how remote their village, proves that when communities prioritize children's health, creative solutions follow.