Ahead of the statewide rollout of the Measles-Rubella vaccination in January 2026, the Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday, rallied traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups to intensify grassroots awareness across communities.
Speaking at a high-level sensitisation meeting held at The Dome in Akure, the governor’s wife described the forthcoming campaign as a crucial step towards safeguarding children from preventable but deadly diseases.
“Vaccination is not just a medical intervention; it is a commitment to our children’s future,” she said, urging stakeholders to dispel vaccine-related myths and push for full community participation.
The new vaccine, which combines protection against measles and rubella, will replace the current measles vaccine in the national immunisation schedule. Health experts say the upgrade is critical to prevent complications such as congenital rubella syndrome, particularly in pregnant women.
Dr Francis Akanbiemu, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, revealed that the vaccine is being introduced by the Federal Government for the first time and will be administered free of charge, despite its high cost.
He warned that many adult women who missed early immunisation remain at risk of transmitting rubella to their unborn babies, which could result in irreversible birth defects.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa also commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for strengthening the state’s health system, citing the rehabilitation of 102 primary healthcare centres and the success of the HPV vaccination campaign, which has reached over 370,000 girls.
She encouraged caregivers to ensure their daughters receive the HPV vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer, adding that early immunisation is key to long-term wellness.
UNICEF’s representative, Mr Tunde Ayoola, pledged continued support for the vaccination campaign, stressing that coordinated action among stakeholders will be vital to its success.
“The battle against measles and rubella requires more than vaccines—it demands unified advocacy, resource mobilisation, and community trust,” he said.
The meeting is part of a broader strategy by the state government and development partners to build momentum and ensure a hitch-free rollout of the MR vaccine.
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