UNICEF, Katsina launch polio, rubella vaccination drive
By Fatima Mukhtar, Katsina
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the Katsina State government have intensified preparations for the Integrated Polio and Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign, set to run from October 6–13, 2025, targeting millions of children across the state.
Speaking at a one-day media dialogue and mobilisation session with journalists and social influencers in Katsina, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Rahman Farah stressed the crucial role of the media in ensuring community awareness and participation.
According to him, “UNICEF’s Kano Field Office Chief oversees interventions across Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, but the October campaign is focused specifically on Katsina.
“Katsina has received 3.6 million doses of Novel Oral Polio Vaccines (nOPV2) to immunize 2.3 million children under five, while 4.8 million children aged 9 months to 14 years will receive the Measles-Rubella vaccine. More than 2,200 vaccination teams will be deployed, supported by trained health workers and Non-Compliance Resolution Teams to address vaccine resistance.
“Despite progress, Katsina still faces challenges. The state recorded two cases of variant poliovirus in 2025, down from 17 cases across eight LGAs in 2024. Security issues also affect 20 of 34 LGAs, prompting UNICEF to urge LGA chairmen to provide oversight and ensure the safety of vaccination teams”, Farah said.
UNICEF reaffirmed that vaccines are free, safe, and effective, calling on the media to spread accurate information and mobilize caregivers and communities.
“This campaign is another opportunity for us to protect children and move closer to eradicating polio in Katsina State and indeed Nigeria,” Farah said.
Addressing rubella concerns, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, said the campaign offers a critical opportunity to protect children:
“We have found evidence that Katsina has a lot of cases of Rubella, although it has been underreported. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to ensure that we protect our children.
“We are also going to use that period to do our normal polio campaign targeting children from zero to 59 months”, he said.
Meanwhile, Executive Coordinator at UNICEF Kano Field Office, Fatima Muhammad Adamu, addressed the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). She appealed to reporters to report any cases directly to the UN and urged them to remain protectors, not perpetrators.
