"Kaduna Rolls Out Integrated Vaccination Campaign Against Measles, Rubella"

By Abdullahi Alhassan

Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria

October 23, 2025(Series News Online)

The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, has launched an Integrated Measles Rubella (MR) and Monkeypox vaccination campaign. The program aims to enhance the health condition of citizens, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

According to a statement by the WHO, the campaign has been phased into various segments to protect citizens from emerging and vaccine-preventable diseases in all 23 Local Government Areas of the state. The program demonstrates the state government's strong commitment to protecting citizens' health.

The statement explained that Monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from animals to humans or from person to person. It is caused by the Monkeypox virus, similar to the virus that causes smallpox, but usually less severe. The disease can be contacted by touching or handling infected animals, close contact with someone who has the infection, or touching items used by an infected person.

Common signs and symptoms of Monkeypox include fever, headache, body pain, and idleness, as well as swelling of the lymph nodes. A rash appears after a few days, starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. Most patients recover within 2-4 weeks, but it can be serious for young children, pregnant women, or people with weak immune systems.

The statement urges people to avoid contact with animals or people who are sick with rashes, wash their hands often with clean water and soap, and avoid sharing clothes, towels, or beddings with others. People are also encouraged to report to a teacher or health worker about anyone suspected to have a rash or fever.

The Integrated Measles Rubella (MR) Campaign will deliver a package of life-saving health interventions across various age groups, including Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination for children aged 9 months to 14 years, Polio vaccination for children under 5 years, and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children aged 3-59 months.

The key objectives of the interventions are to interrupt transmission of Measles, Rubella, Polio, and Monkeypox, strengthen population immunity, and promote the integration of essential health interventions through community-based delivery.

The statement calls on the media to disseminate accurate information on campaign dates and benefits, counter vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, and encourage caregivers and communities to actively participate in the campaign.

The public is urged to take advantage of the free, safe, and effective vaccines provided during the campaign, which will take place from October 18th to 27th, 2025. The statement emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility from households, the media, community leaders, and caregivers to ensure the success of the campaign and make Kaduna State healthier, safer, and free from preventable diseases