By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Kwara Government will integrate the Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine into the routine immunization exercise across the state scheduled for Oct. 2025.
Dr Michael Oguntoye, the Director of Primary Healthcare System, at the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, stated this in Ilorin.
He was speaking at the Media Orientation on Integrated Measles Rubella Vaccination in Kwara State.
According to him, the integrated campaigns will help to deliver multiple vaccines and other health services simultaneously, improving efficiency and access for caregivers.
Oguntoye explained that Kwara is among the first States to commence the integration of MR into routine immunization while calling on the media industry to support in the wide dissemination of the upcoming exercise across the state.
He pointed out that measles-rubella (MR) vaccine is taking place nationwide while emphasizing on public awareness campaigns, and integrated vaccination campaigns to increase coverage and prevent outbreaks.
The director added that the federal government has invested heavily on immunization programmes and health services, which is aimed at achieving high vaccination rates, improve efficiency, and protect children from preventable diseases.
In his presentation, Prof. Adekunle Salaudeen, a Consultant for the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), described Measles as a highly infectious viral disease.
He explained that the disease is characterized by fever, maculopapular rash, fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and coryza (runny nose).
“It can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals.
“Measles is a leading cause of death among young children worldwide,” he said.
Similarly the expert stated that Rubella is also known as German measles, typically causing mild measles-like illness in children and adults.
Salaudeen explained that Rubella infection in early pregnancy can result in severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).
“Between 2019 and 2024, Nigeria reported a total of 94,305 confirmed measles cases with 719 deaths, reflecting a case fatality rate of approximately 0.76 percent,” he said.
He noted that the Northeast region recorded the highest number of confirmed measles cases in the country.
Salaudeen therefore underscores the importance of vaccination to prevent these diseases and safeguarding the lives of children in Kwara and Nigeria as a whole.
In his remarks, Dr Usman Danlami, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) representative expressed the support of the organization towards improving health of the people in the State.
He also appealed to the media to help disseminate the need for wider coverage in vaccinating children across Kwara.
