Kano State will on October 6 roll out a massive vaccination campaign that aims to immunize more than seven million children against measles-rubella and polio, alongside other childhood diseases.

Dr. Ahmad Tijjanu Habibu, Director of Disease Control at the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, described the campaign as the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This campaign is unique. We have never had such a campaign in the history of Nigeria. It is the largest campaign in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa,” he said during a media dialogue in Kano on Monday.

Nationwide Target

According to Habibu, the federal government is aiming to reach 106 million children nationwide. The integrated campaign will deliver multiple vaccines in one package—covering measles-rubella, polio, hepatitis, HPV, routine immunization, and even treatment for onchocerciasis, a neglected tropical disease.

He explained that the integration will save costs, increase efficiency, and reduce the stress of holding multiple campaigns separately.

Target Age Groups

Routine immunization: Children 0–23 months

Measles-rubella: 9 months–14 years

Polio: Under 5 years

Onchocerciasis (in 6 LGAs): Children above 5 years

Habibu noted that the switch from measles-only to measles-rubella vaccines was based on evidence showing that rubella contributes to continued mild measles infections despite previous immunization.

Partners and Implementation

The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), WHO, Gavi, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and civil society organizations.

Rahama Rihood, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, commended progress in polio reduction—from 31 cases in 2024 to just 3 cases in 2025—but urged for stronger government involvement to meet the December eradication target.

“With only two months until December, UNICEF calls on the Kano State Government and LGAs to intensify efforts, release counterpart funds on time and sustain strong supervision of the campaign,” he said.

Maryam H. Umar, Kano State Coordinator of NPHCDA, called on the media to play a key role in mobilizing communities, dispelling myths, and promoting vaccine uptake, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Campaign Timeline

The 10-day campaign will run from October 6 to 16, 2025, with a possible two-day extension if necessary.