About seven point eight million children age 9-14 years old will receive immunization across the 44 LGA.
Briefing journalist at the emergency operation center, Abdullahi wase specialist hospital, the commissioner of health Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf said that the press briefing of the October 2025 Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign in Kano State marks another milestone in the collective effort to safeguard the health and future of citizens particularly children and mothers.
The commissioner said that Kano State will conduct a state-wide Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign, targeting 7.8 million children aged 9 months to 14 years across all our 44 Local Government Areas.
As this historic exercise will be conducted alongside the Polio vaccination campaign, which aims to reach over 3.9 million children under five years of age, while also strengthening Routine Immunization (RI) services within the same period.
For the Rubella — also known as German measles is a contagious viral infection that, though mild in children, can have serious consequences in pregnant women, leading to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in babies. CRS can cause heart defects, hearing loss, and developmental disabilities.
Dr Labaran added that For many years, rubella silently circulated in Nigeria, often undetected, causing preventable birth defects and infant disabilities.
“That is why today’s campaign is of historic significance: it marks the first time Nigeria and Kano State is administering the combined Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine to protect our children and future mothers from both diseases simultaneously, he said”,
The commissioner stated that By introducing the MR vaccine into the routine immunization schedule, Kano State is aligning with the National Rubella Elimination Strategy and the WHO African Regional target to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome by 2030.
“This is a proud moment for us and a major step toward ensuring that no mother in Kano gives birth to a child affected by rubella-related complications, he stressed”,.
“This integration demonstrates our commitment to efficient health service delivery ensuring that every child receives multiple lifesaving vaccines and interventions in a single outreach.
He emphasized that Nigeria has maintained its status as Wild Polio-Free since 2020, the country still faces challenges from circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2). Nationally, 98 cases were reported in 2024 and 3 cases detected in early 2025 across Kano State.
“In Kano, we remain resolute under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, in sustaining high-quality campaigns and strengthening surveillance to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and no case goes undetected.
He said that Kano State has fully joined the national rollout of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, which began in 2023. This vaccine protects adolescent girls, aged 9 to 14 years, against cervical cancer one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. whereby integrating HPV vaccination into the Routine Immunization structure and engaging schools and communities to ensure no eligible girl is left behind.
“Our Routine Immunization system remains the backbone of all vaccination efforts. According to national surveys (MICS/NICS 2021), Kano was among the states with low coverage for key antigens such as Penta-3 and Measles-1. However, through sustained efforts, capacity building, and improved accountability, we are witnessing encouraging progress in the DHIS2 monthly reports, he ace
The ongoing campaign provides yet another opportunity to intensify routine immunization and close the remaining immunity gaps across the state.
In addition to immunization, this integrated campaign also features the distribution of ivermectin for Onchocerciasis (river blindness) in 6 LGAs (Tudun wada, Madobi, Gaya, Kabo, Dambatta and Garun Malam), other public-health interventions.
Dr labaran said that Kano remains committed to achieving therapeutic coverage above 80% in all endemic LGAs, while working toward meeting the WHO threshold for stopping mass drug administration in eligible areas. This effort underscores our vision for a disease-free, productive population.,
Dr the commissioner however express his prof appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his tremendous and tireless support towards Healthcare system, development partners — FMOH, NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF, AFENET, Gates Foundation, SOLINA, Chigari Foundation, Sultan Foundation, eHealth Africa, Rotary, IVAC, Core group HANDS and numerous among others for their technical and financial support.
He as well acknowledge the tireless contributions of healthcare workers, traditional and religious leaders, LGA Chairmen, and volunteers who stand at the frontline of this noble mission.
And call on all parents, caregivers, and community members to bring their children and wards for vaccination during this campaign. These vaccines are safe, free, and lifesaving.
