Taraba State health authorities have launched an ambitious measles–rubella vaccination campaign targeting some 1.6 million children across the state. The mass immunisation drive was unveiled at the State Ministry of Health in Jalingo and will run for several weeks starting this month.
Officials said the campaign will prioritise children aged between 9 months and 14 years and will deploy a combination of fixed-site clinics, outreach teams and temporary vaccination posts in schools and market places to maximise coverage. The state government has mobilised health workers, volunteers and local leaders to ensure vaccines reach remote communities, and has arranged cold-chain logistics to safeguard potency during transport and storage.
Taraba’s Commissioner for Health emphasised the urgency of the campaign following recent national and regional increases in measles outbreaks and the persistent risk of rubella-related birth defects. He also appealed for cooperation from parents, schools and community leaders, and reassured residents about vaccine safety and the training of frontline staff in adverse-event monitoring.
To support the rollout, the state said it will work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, partner agencies and development organisations to monitor uptake and respond rapidly to any operational challenges. Officials warned that any disruption, including insecurity or misinformation, could jeopardise the campaign’s impact and pledged community engagement efforts to counter vaccine hesitancy.
