Measles-Rubella: Bauchi govt targets one million U-5 children for vaccination

A total of one million U-5 children are to be vaccinated as the Bauchi State Government rolls out the introduction of the measles rubella vaccine commencing on October 18, 2025.

The disclosure was made by State Community Engagement Focal Person, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Abubakar Dabo, during a media engagement organised by the Board preparatory to the formal rollout of the vaccine.

He said that all eligible children under 5 years would be reached with the potent antigen vaccine across the Twenty LGAs of the state.

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The State Deputy Health Educator also noted that although measles rubella has similar symptoms to the normal measles, it, however, affects adults of both genders, which is all the more reason the introduction of the vaccine became necessary and expedient.

According to him, “The Ten days integrated campaign will feature the administering of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to Nine year old female children against Cervical cancer, polio, Rota, BCG, hepatitis, Penta and other routine immunisations.”

He stated that the objective of the meeting was to increase awareness by educating the public about the importance of the MR Campaign, its benefits, and the risks of integrated measles and rubella, as well as securing support and commitment from media houses to promote the campaign and encourage participation.

It was also to address concerns or misconceptions people might have about the vaccine, and provide accurate information to alleviate fears and foster collaboration between the media people to ensure a successful campaign, including sharing resources, expertise, and information.

It was also to promote community participation by mobilizing resources, such as funding, personnel, or infrastructure, to support the campaign.

The Specific objectives are to increase Vaccination Coverage by achieving high vaccination coverage among school-going children and adolescents, and reducing Measles and Rubella cases in the target area, improving Health Outcomes for children and adolescents by protecting them against measles and rubella.

Also speaking, a Technical Assistant with the World Health Organisation, WHO, Bauchi office, Muhammad Dungus, clarified that the effect of Cervical cancer can be seen in men through the formation of genital warts, especially among those whose partners were affected.

According to him, Measles is a highly infectious viral disease characterized by fever, maculopapular rash, and any of the 3 Cs – cough, conjunctivitis, and coryza (runny nose)

He stressed that it can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children and immunocompromised individuals, as it is a leading cause of death among young children worldwide.

Rubella, also known as German measles, typically causes mild measles-like illness in children and adults, while its infection in early pregnancy can result in severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).

Muhammad Dungus disclosed that between 2019 and 2024, Nigeria reported a total of 94,305 confirmed measles cases with 719 deaths, reflecting a case fatality rate (CFR) of approximately 0.76%.

He added that the North-East subregion recorded the highest number of confirmed measles cases with 57,060 (60.5%) and 63.4% of the deaths, pointing out that Borno State accounts for 45% of the confirmed measles cases and 44.8% of the deaths in Nigeria within the period.

As of Epi-week 1-15, Bauchi has the highest number of confirmed cases with 285 (18.5%) in 2025, stressing that Measles remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the under-five disease burden and mortality rates.

In 2022, 13,682 cases, 162 deaths: CFR – 1.2 % Under 5 years measles cases were recorded, while in 2023, 7,992 cases, 57 deaths: CFR – 0.7% burden and mortality in Nigeria were recorded, just as in 2022-epi-week 12 of 2025, 2024-6,104 cases, 53 deaths: CFR – 0.9%.