The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that about 7.8 million children in Kano State will be vaccinated against Measles Rubella during the upcoming national immunisation campaign set to begin on October 6.

Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, made this known on Monday during a media dialogue and mobilisation session ahead of the exercise.

Farah said the campaign, which will run in two phases from October 6 to February 16, 2026, aims to provide accurate information to journalists and partners to ensure wide coverage and community participation.

“Kano State falls under Phase One of the national campaign, which will cover 21 states in two streams between October 6 and 17, 2025,” he said.

The exercise is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gavi, the Gates Foundation, civil society groups, UNICEF and the Kano State Government.

For the October phase, 3,347 vaccination teams have been deployed, alongside 4.6 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2) and 4.5 million doses of bOPV, targeting 3.9 million children under five. In addition, 7.8 million children aged nine months to 14 years will receive the Measles Rubella vaccine.

Farah explained that the campaign will use fixed posts, temporary sites and sweep teams to reach every eligible child. It will be supported by 44 local government vaccine accountability officers, 684 ward officers and Vaccine Supply Logistics personnel to maintain the cold chain.

He also noted that UNICEF has provided communication support through banners, posters, sermon guides, caregiver messages, and training for over 3,300 health workers and 870 non-compliance teams.

Despite progress, Farah expressed concern that Kano reported three cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) this year, down from 31 cases across 17 LGAs in 2024. He called on the state government to ensure timely campaign flag-offs, counterpart funding, effective supervision and intensified mobilisation.

Dr Ahmed Tijani, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, said the integrated campaign is the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, targeting 106 million children nationwide.

“The integrated exercise will cover Measles Rubella, Routine Immunisation including Hepatitis and HPV vaccines, Polio, and Onchocerciasis,” Tijani said, adding that combining the campaigns will improve efficiency, cut costs and reduce the burden on communities.

Kano State Coordinator of NPHCDA, Maryam Umar, urged the media to promote accurate information on the campaign.

“Our message is clear — we depend on you, the media, to share accurate information on the benefits of vaccination, the campaign details and the targeted age groups,” she said.