By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Osun State Government has announced plans to vaccinate over two million children aged 9 months to 14 years as part of its Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign scheduled from January 26 to February 5.

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the state government secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, the Commissioner for Health, Bar. Jola Akintola, shared details of the campaign. “All children in the specified age range are eligible to receive the vaccine during this campaign, regardless of their previous immunization status. The target of 2,048,840 children will be vaccinated unless they are severely ill at the time of vaccination,” Akintola stated.

Emphasizing the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, Akintola noted that it has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant Nigerian regulatory authorities. He said the vaccine has been safely administered to millions of children worldwide.

He cautioned that while the vaccine may cause mild and temporary side effects, such as low-grade fever, mild rash, or slight swelling at the injection site, saying these reactions are normal and resolve without complications. “Parents should avoid rubbing the injection site. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh these minor effects,” he advised.

He explained that the campaign is part of the current administration’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of children, who represent the future of Osun. Akintola urged parents, caregivers, community and religious leaders, school authorities, traditional rulers, and the media to support this life-saving initiative.

To ensure equitable access and comprehensive coverage, Akintola outlined various strategies for implementation such as: fixed-post vaccination at health facilities; school-based vaccination teams; house-to-house and community outreach services; mobile vaccination teams dedicated to underserved areas, hard-to-reach locations, and riverine communities.