The Rivers State Government has unveiled a comprehensive public health initiative aimed at immunising approximately three million children against measles and rubella. The statewide campaign, scheduled to commence in February 2026, marks a significant step in integrating the combined Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccine into the state’s routine immunisation framework.
Addressing journalists during a media orientation in the state capital, the State Health Educator, Dr Diana Babbo, confirmed that the official campaign would span ten days, running from 4 February to 14 February 2026. The exercise is set to be conducted across all twenty-three Local Government Areas to ensure no community is overlooked.
To bolster the effectiveness of the initiative, Dr Babbo announced that a subsequent two-day “mop-up” exercise would follow the primary campaign. This contingency phase is designed to reach children who may have been unavailable during the initial period, thereby ensuring maximum inclusiveness and coverage.
The health educator highlighted the campaign’s broad demographic scope, targeting children between the ages of nine months and fourteen years. While the MR vaccine is typically administered at nine and fifteen months, this mass intervention is intended to bridge critical immunity gaps within the population.
The urgency of the campaign is underscored by sobering national statistics. Dr Babbo noted that Nigeria recorded more than 94,000 confirmed measles cases between 2019 and 2024, resulting in 719 fatalities.
“The MR vaccine is a safe, combined prophylactic that provides dual protection against two highly contagious viral diseases,” Dr Babbo stated. She reassured the public that all logistical arrangements are in place for a seamless rollout, adding that parents should anticipate only minor side effects, such as low-grade fevers, which are typical of such vaccinations.
The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board has expressed a high degree of optimism regarding the programme. By achieving the ambitious target of three million vaccinations, the Board expects to see a substantial reduction in childhood morbidity and mortality rates across the state.
Authorities are currently intensifying social mobilisation and public awareness efforts to encourage universal participation. Dr Babbo concluded by calling upon parents, guardians, and caregivers to cooperate fully with health officials during the house-to-house and community outreach phases of the exercise.
