The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 7.8 million children aged 9 months to 14 years in Kano will be vaccinated during the upcoming Integrated Measles-Rubella and Polio Campaign.
Speaking at a Media Dialogue, Orientation, and Mobilisation Session in Kano, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office, Mr Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, explained that the campaign will adopt fixed, temporary, and sweep team strategies to ensure that all eligible children are reached.
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He pointed out that, each measles-rubella vaccination team will consist of 11 members, while polio sweep teams will have two vaccinators each.
To guarantee effective vaccine management, the UNICEF chief disclosed that 3 Vaccine Supply Logistics officers, 44 LGA Vaccine Accountability Officers, and 684 Ward Vaccine Accountability Officers have been trained and deployed.
Rahma noted that UNICEF and Partners provided 3,347 vaccination post banners, 44,000 caregiver messages, 30,380 Muslim sermon guides, 1,320 Christian sermon guides, and 400 MP3 Bluetooth speakers preloaded with campaign messages to boost community mobilisation.
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“In addition, 3,300 health workers and 870 Non-Compliance Resolution Team members have been trained to engage communities, while 290 NCRTs—comprising traditional leaders, influencers, and vaccinators tackle refusal cases during the campaign”
The chief of the Field office hinted that, from the Voluntary Community Mobilizer (VCM) Network, 4,864 mobilizers, 486 ward supervisors, and 385 Polio Survivor Groups have been engaged to support the exercise.
Rahma noted that the integrated campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, WHO, Gavi, the Gates Foundation, civil society organisations, and the Kano State Government.
“Nigeria plans to roll out the campaign nationwide in two phases, across all 36 states, between October 6, 2025, and February 16, 2026. Kano falls under Phase One, Stream One, which runs from October 6 to 17”
Despite significant progress, Rahma posited that Kano has recorded three cases of the circulating variant of poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) this year in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa LGAs compared to 31 cases across 17 LGAs in 2024.
“With only two months to December, our national target for halting polio circulation, Kano must intensify its efforts,” he said, calling on LGA chairmen to personally oversee campaign phases and ensure funds are released promptly”
Rahma recommended the Kano Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, for flagging off past campaigns and urged him to do the same for the October exercise. He also praised LGA chairmen who actively participated in review meetings.
He emphasised that the media has a vital role in the campaign’s success:
“We rely on you to share accurate information, dispel misinformation, and mobilise parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination. Vaccines are free, effective, and safe.”