The Government of Zamfara State is set to start the administration of measles and rubella vaccines across the state by October 2025.
The Zamfara State Governor’s Wife, Hajiya Huriyya Lawal, spoke while flagging off the sensitisation campaign for the vaccination drive, in Gusau on Saturday.
Lawal said the new vaccine was designed to prevent measles and rubella among children between nine months and 15 years.
According to her, in the first phase, the vaccines will be administered to children ages nine to 15 years, and the subsequent immunisations will cover children from nine months to five years of age.
She thanked development partners for their kind support in addressing all health challenges affecting children and the state.
In his remarks, a Pediatric Consultant with the Department of Pediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Dr Ibrahim Hano, described measles and rubella as killer diseases among children.
According to him, measles and rubella cause blindness, glaucoma, brain disorders, and heart diseases among children if not immunized.
He said effective sensitization of the public, training of health personnel, educating parents during clinical services as well as providing effective nutrition to children were required.
The Emir of Anka and Chairman Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, commended the state government and development partners for their effective commitment to healthcare delivery.
He promised to give total support to the dissemination of information on, as well as sensitizing their communities to the need to immunize their children against these killer diseases.
