The Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF on Monday announced 4th – 13th October, 2025 as period for the vaccination of children between 9 months of age to 14 years.
The organization made the pronouncement during a one day media engagement with journalists in Lokoja.
The UNICEF SBC consultant, Dr. Ambassador A.K Hudu highlighted that Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness that’s highly contagious, stressing that on average, one person with measles would give it to 12 to 18 other persons.
Dr Hudu emphasized the importance of taking Measles Rubella Vaccine to prevent Measles Rubella (also called German Measles) which is different from the regular Measles, as it is a very dangerous disease to humans, especially the children between the ages nine months to forteen years.
He described symptoms of Rubella to be Mild fever, Pink/red rashes (starting on the face, spreading to the body), Swollen lymph nodes (behind the ears or neck), Headache and tiredness and Mild joint pain (especially in adults).
The consultant explained that a pregnant woman with Rubella can pass it to her baby, and babies born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) might have blindness, deafness, heart defects, brain damage, miscarriage or stillbirth, noting that Measles Rubella cannot be treated but can be prevented through the vaccination (MR Vaccine).
He described the Vaccines as the safest and the most effective way to protect children and adults from the deadly diseases, adding that the Vaccines are on the WHO’S List of Essential Medicines.
Dr. Hudu urged parents, guardians, and other critical stakeholders to prepare their wards between the ages of 9 months and 14 years to receive the MR Vaccines from 4th – 13th October, 2025 to prevent the deadly disease.
He stated that the vaccination would cut across the 21 local government areas of the state as it’s a global vaccination, stressing that the trained health workers would be at Fixed Posts and Temporally Fixed Post (Health Facilities, Schools, Markets, Motor Park, Mosque, Churches, Playgrounds and any other prominent/influential leaders houses).
In his remarks, the Executive Director of Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa who was represented by the Deputy Director of the Agency, Mallam Bashiru Musa expressed appreciation to the critical stakeholders for attending the meeting.
He highlighted that media engagement was very crucial for the successful implementation of such vital public health intervention.
He urged the media to be attentive and carry the detailed information to the nooks and crannies of the state for easy accessibility during the vaccination.
In attendance were; AFENET Representative; Dr. Akano Oluseyi (MR/SIA Consultant); IVAC Representative; Aimaje John (Measles Consultant), CHIGARI FOUNDATION, Mr. Haruna Alfa (Program Officer Kogi State); KSPHCDA CONSULTANT, Dr. Mary Alexander Onoja; WHO Representative Abdulmalik Bilkisu (Measles Consultant); State Immunization Officer (SIO), Mrs. Apeh Ajuma; Measles Rubella Vaccination (MRV) Focal Person, Mrs. Oshade Mojirayo Felicia; The State Health Educator Mall. Momoh Shitu; and other key stakeholders.
Adegboyega Segun,
Information Officer,
MIO&C.
