Ondo, NPHCDA partner on Measles-Rubella vaccination, as Aiyedatiwa’s wife leads awareness
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Government of Ondo State, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners, will commence a state-wide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign in 2026 January, aimed at safeguarding children against these preventable diseases.
In preparation for the exercise, the wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has taken the lead in mobilising critical stakeholders to ensure the success of the campaign across all local government areas.
Speaking during a sensitisation meeting held on Tuesday at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, Mrs. Aiyedatiwa emphasized the need for collective responsibility in protecting the health and future of children in the state.
The meeting brought together key players in the health and development sectors to prepare for the statewide rollout of the life-saving vaccine.
She called on parents, guardians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community-based organisations, and the media to join hands with government health officials to create awareness and encourage full participation in the forthcoming vaccination drive.
“Our children are our future. We must protect them from diseases that are preventable through simple vaccination. I urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure no child in Ondo State is left unvaccinated,” the First Lady stated.
Her words: “This campaign is not just about vaccination; it’s about protecting our children and securing their future. Measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases, yet they continue to claim lives and cause lasting disabilities.
“As influencers in your communities, I implore you to help dispel myths and misinformation surrounding vaccines”, she noted
She emphasised that the vaccine is safe, free, and effective, targeting children between the ages of nine months and 15 years urging stakeholders to work with community gatekeepers and organisations to ensure every eligible child is reached.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa however commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for prioritising maternal and child health through ongoing reforms, including the rehabilitation of 102 primary health centres and the recruitment of health personnel.
She also referenced the success of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction (HPVVI) campaign, which has vaccinated over 370,000 girls to prevent cervical cancer.
She called on parents and caregivers whose daughters aged nine are yet to receive the HPV vaccine to visit the nearest health facility, stressing the importance of early immunisation for long-term health benefits.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, revealed that the Measles-Rubella vaccine will replace the routine measles vaccine.
He noted that the new vaccine, being introduced for the first time by the Federal Government, addresses serious concerns over its link to congenital birth defects, especially when contracted by unvaccinated women during pregnancy.
Akanbiemu added that the vaccine, though expensive, is being provided free of charge to help prevent avoidable health complications in children and mothers. He warned that many women who were not vaccinated as children may unknowingly carry risks into adulthood, endangering future pregnancies.
Representing UNICEF, Mr. Tunde Ayoola affirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the campaign.
He said UNICEF, in collaboration with other development partners, will provide technical support and help in procuring the vaccines.
“This meeting is a crucial platform for aligning strategies and strengthening community engagement. The success of this rollout depends on our collective efforts, timely resource mobilisation, and consistent advocacy to educate parents on the importance of vaccinating their children”, he added
