Yobe Flags Off Health Campaign to Protect Children from Measles, Rubella, HPV, Polio

Yobe State Government in collaboration with national and international partners, officially launched a first-of-its-kind integrated health campaign on Friday.

The initiative aims to deliver six critical health interventions simultaneously across all 17 local government areas of the state.

The flag-off ceremony was held at the palace of the Emir of Damaturu, underscoring the critical role of traditional leadership in community mobilization. 

The event was attended by representatives from development partners including UNICEF, WHO, and the BMGF, as well as religious rulers and community members.

Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, announced that the campaign is scheduled for October 18th to 28th,2025.

He described the initiative as a comprehensive effort to effectively combat a range of preventable diseases.

“This integrated campaign is the first of its kind, offering six different intervention areas delivered by vaccination teams across all settlements and communities in Yobe State,"the Governor stated.

Buni stated that, six key interventions include,Measles-Rubella vaccination for children aged 9 months to 14 years,Polio vaccination for children 0 to 59 months and Strengthening of Routine Immunization for children 0 to 2 years.

According to him ,others are;seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention for children 3 to 59 months,mobilization of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) to all households and distribution of Troma for all age groups.

Earlier in his remarks,the State Commissioner for Health and Human services, Dr. Muhammed Lawan Gana, highlighted the national significance of the campaign, noting that this new model is being piloted in Nigeria with Yobe State taking the lead. 

He detailed that the measles-rubella component alone has the potential to avert 2.8 million deaths in Nigeria, contributing to global health targets.

In his messenge,the executive Secretary,Yobe state primary health care Board,Dr.Babagana Kundi Machina,issued a strong appeal to parents and guardians, urging them to utilize the golden opportunity and come out en masse with their children of vaccination age to have them immunized against these preventable killer diseases.