The Rivers State Government has announced plans to immunise about three million children against measles and rubella in a statewide vaccination campaign scheduled for February 2026.
The exercise, which will cover children aged nine months to 14 years, is part of efforts to introduce the Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccine into the state’s routine immunisation programme.
Speaking at a media orientation in Port Harcourt, the State Health Educator, Dr Diana Babbo, said the official vaccination campaign will run from February 4 to February 14, 2026, across all 23 local government areas of the state.
She explained that a two-day mop-up exercise would follow the main campaign to reach children who may miss the initial vaccination period, ensuring wider coverage and inclusiveness.
Dr Babbo assured that all necessary logistics had been put in place for a smooth and effective rollout, while calling on parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers during house-to-house and community outreach activities.
She described the MR vaccine as a safe combined vaccine that protects children from two highly contagious viral diseases, noting that although it is routinely administered at nine and 15 months, the mass campaign is designed to bridge existing immunity gaps.
The health educator cited national statistics showing more than 94,000 confirmed measles cases in Nigeria between 2019 and 2024, with 719 recorded deaths, underscoring the urgency of the intervention.
According to her, health authorities are intensifying public awareness, communication and social mobilisation to encourage full participation, adding that only mild side effects such as low-grade fever may occur after vaccination.
The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board expressed optimism that achieving the three-million-child target would significantly reduce childhood illness and mortality, while strengthening protection for children against preventable diseases across the state.
