UNICEF, WHO, EU, Sokoto govt partner to train journalists ahead of mass vaccination campaign

The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), Gavi, and other development partners, on Friday held a one-day media roundtable to equip journalists, on-air personalities, social media influencers, and EU reporters with tools for effective mass mobilization ahead of the upcoming integrated measles-rubella and polio vaccination campaign.

The session, held at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) auditorium of the State Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, precedes the vaccination exercise scheduled for October 6–15, 2025, across all 23 local government areas of the state.

UNICEF’s Media Representative in Sokoto, Salaudeen Bello, said the campaign aims to protect children from deadly but preventable diseases. According to him, the measles-rubella vaccine will target children aged 9 months to 14 years, while the polio vaccine will be administered to children aged 0 to 59 months.

Bello disclosed that 1,378 vaccination teams have been mobilized to reach every ward, village, and settlement using fixed health facility posts, house-to-house outreach, and mobile “sweep teams” to ensure no child is missed.

“We are also taking the campaign to schools to guarantee wider coverage. As journalists, broadcasters, and influencers, your platforms are critical in sensitizing parents and caregivers to make their children available for these life-saving vaccines,” he said.

Also speaking, Health Promotion Officer Shehu Sabiu assured parents of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, stressing their role in preventing severe complications such as pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.

He said the goal of the exercise is to vaccinate about two million children across Sokoto State, beginning with Bodinga Local Government Area and running concurrently in all other LGAs.

“This is a major undertaking that requires the support of parents, community leaders, and healthcare workers. Vaccination is one of the surest ways to safeguard the future of our children,” Sabiu added.

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The Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA) and the Ministry of Health reaffirmed their commitment to working with partners and the media to ensure maximum coverage and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases.

With collective effort, the government and its partners say the campaign will not only protect children but also secure a healthier, more prosperous future for Sokoto State.