Measles-Rubella Vaccination Begins January As Ondo First Lady Mobilises Stakeholders
The Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has urged traditional leaders, religious figures, and community stakeholders to intensify grassroots awareness on the forthcoming Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, set to begin in January 2026.
Yomi Oniya, Information Officer to the Ondo First Lady in a statement issued on Tuesday in Akure said She made the appeal during a sensitisation meeting held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure.
The meeting brought together key players in the health and development sectors to prepare for the statewide rollout of the life-saving vaccine.
“This campaign is not just about vaccination; it’s about protecting our children and securing their future,” Mrs. Aiyedatiwa said.
“Measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases, yet they continue to claim lives and cause lasting disabilities. As influencers in your communities, I implore you to help dispel myths and misinformation surrounding vaccines.”
She emphasised that the vaccine is safe, free, and effective, targeting children between the ages of nine months and 15 years.
She urged stakeholders to work with community gatekeepers and organisations to ensure every eligible child is reached.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa commended her husband, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for prioritising maternal and child health through ongoing reforms, including the rehabilitation of 102 primary health centres and the recruitment of health personnel.
She also referenced the success of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction (HPVVI) campaign, which has vaccinated over 370,000 girls to prevent cervical cancer.
She called on parents and caregivers whose daughters aged nine are yet to receive the HPV vaccine to visit the nearest health facility, stressing the importance of early immunisation for long-term health benefits.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, revealed that the Measles-Rubella vaccine will replace the routine measles vaccine.
He noted that the new vaccine, being introduced for the first time by the Federal Government, addresses serious concerns over its link to congenital birth defects, especially when contracted by unvaccinated women during pregnancy.
Dr Akanbiemu added that the vaccine, though expensive, is being provided free of charge to help prevent avoidable health complications in children and mothers.
He warned that many women who were not vaccinated as children may unknowingly carry risks into adulthood, endangering future pregnancies.
Representing UNICEF, Mr. Tunde Ayoola affirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the campaign.
He said UNICEF, in collaboration with other development partners, will provide technical support and help in procuring the vaccines.
“This meeting is a crucial platform for aligning strategies and strengthening community engagement,” he said.
“The success of this rollout depends on our collective efforts, timely resource mobilisation, and consistent advocacy to educate parents on the importance of vaccinating their children.”
