Over 1.3 million children are to be vaccinated against Measles Rubella and other childhood killer diseases in Nasarawa state.

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Measles-Rubella Consultant in Nasarawa state, Dr. Abraham Kayode, disclosed this at a one day media dialogue in Lafia on Friday.

The media dialogue was organised by the Nasarawa state Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF, with focus on the forthcoming Integrated Measles -Rubella Vaccination in the state.

He explained that out of the 102million children to be vaccinated against Measles, Rubella and other childhood killer diseases across Nigeria, 1, 372, 251 will be vaccinated in Nasarawa state.

Dr. Kayode stressed that Nigeria has contributed significantly to the global measles and rubella burden.

He added that the vaccine would be administered to children from nine months to 14 years during the 10 days campaign and subsequently incorporated into the routine immunization.

Speaking, Dr. Lukman Ahmed, Health specialist UNICEF, stressed that they have made remarkable progress in the fight against preventable diseases in Nigeria.

“We all stood tall as Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus, united by a single mission to protect our children and communities from preventable diseases through vaccination.

He said for decades, measles has been one of the leading killers of children under five.

” Rubella though less well known, causes life-long harm when it infects pregnant women and children.

“With the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, we now have an additional, powerful tool to stop both of these diseases and protect generations yet unborn,” he said.

He called on the media to help amplify and provide accurate information so that parents know vaccines are safe, effective, and paid for by the governments with no additional charge.

Dr. Ahmed therefore, thanked the participants for their commitment to the health of the nation.

“Together we will keep Nigeria polio-free, reduce measles outbreaks, prevent rubella, and protect the future of every Nigerian child,” he added.

In his remarks, Director Health Education and Social Mobilization of the primary healthcare agency, Muhammad Abubakar, said the vaccine is safe, effective and given free of charge.

He charged the media to create awareness on the safety and effectiveness of the Integrated Polio -Measles-Rubella Campaign scheduled to commence from October 7th in the state