The Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care has organized a one-day Media Dialogue with journalists and influencers – ahead of the commencement of a Measles-Rubella vaccination scheduled to hold simultaneously in Niger as well as other selected States in the country.
Speaking on Friday at the event which was put together in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (W.H.O), the Incident Manager of the Niger State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Dr. Fatima Ibrahim, underscored the fact that rubella vaccine was being introduced as part of the integrated vaccination schedule – for the first time in Niger State.
She said the vaccine which would be administered to pregnant women – would protect unborn babies against suffering from a condition known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which predisposes them to defects and other complications after birth.
The Incident Manager justified the integrated vaccination schedule on the basis that it was more sustainable than waiting for massive roll-out of vaccines for separate diseases at different periods
She highlighted targeted places where healthcare workers would be deployed for the exercise which kicks off on Monday to include – homes, conventional private and public schools, quaranic schools, IDP camps, Orphanages, farms, mosques and churches as well as communities on the fringes of Nigeria’s border with other countries – where provisions are in place to cover potential non-citizens – willing to be vaccinated.
In addition to Polio, Measles and Rubella vaccines, Dr. Fatima disclosed that Human Papillomavirus (HPV), would also be available for young girls who are 9 yrs old
Also speaking at the event, the UNICEF Chief of Kaduna Field Office, Dr Gerida Birukila who was represented by a Health Specialist, Dr Ahmed Tsofo, said the media has a critical role to play in the campaign for Measles-Rubella Vaccination
According to the UNICEF Chief, the media can break down myths and tackle misinformation surrounding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines through its various platforms.
Dr. Birukila acknowledged that the media can build trust in public health and make vaccination not just a medical necessity but an honorable parental duty as well as a community value to be proudly upheld.
She further asked the Media to help in Mobilizing parents, caregivers and communities—so that immunization days are seen not as routine but as moments to demonstrate care and secure protection from preventable diseases.
While urging the media to counter myths and disinformation—with facts and data delivered in clear, relatable language, Dr. Birukila appealed to practitioners in the field – to amplify accurate information for parents to realize that vaccines are safe, effective, paid for by the government and provided at no additional charge.
The vaccination drive would be implemented in 21 states across the country and in two phases – with Niger among States under Phase-1.
The first phase of the vaccination is scheduled to run from from the 6th to 17th of October, 2025.
Those eligible to receive the polio vaccine are babies from the age of zero to 5 years while the measles vaccine would be administered to children within the age range of 9 months to 14 years.
News Edited by Oni Kayode Philips