Bauchi: UNICEF-Supported Measles-Rubella Campaign Boosts Child Immunisation in Katagum

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The sight of a young woman who came with her two healthy sons, aged four and two respectively, for vaccination evoked admiration.

Fatima Sani Babangida was among several mothers who brought their children for the ongoing Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign in Katagum, Bauchi State.

Metoric Post reports that there was a large turnout of mothers in this year’s campaign to receive life-saving vaccines for their children.

This year’s Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, aimed at protecting children from multiple vaccine-preventable diseases, was flagged off on Friday, October 17, 2025, by the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed.

No fewer than two million children aged nine months to 14 years are being targeted in the exercise.

Fatima spoke to journalists during a field visit supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at Arguwan Zango, behind Mai-Alolo Primary School in the Masango area of Azare. The visit was to gain firsthand insight into the progress of the campaign.

The mother of two expressed joy over her supportive husband and the positive impact of vaccination on her children and called on mothers in the area to always comply.

Although her sons cried as the vaccine was being administered, Fatima appeared calm, believing it was for their own good.

“I brought Abdullahi and his brother, Abdulkadir Muhammad, for the vaccination. They are my only children for now,” she said.

“They have both been vaccinated today (October 20, 2025), and I have never missed any round.”

She credited her husband for his strong support in ensuring that their children are vaccinated.

“He instructed me that even if he is not around, whatever vaccine is due for the children, I must make sure they receive it,” she explained.

“I was at home today when I saw children being vaccinated. I called him, and he said I should take ours for the vaccination — that there was no problem. That’s why I brought them.”

Fatima expressed deep appreciation for her husband, who works in a health facility in Azare, for encouraging her to ensure their children are immunized.

“I really thank him because a lot of women here still do not see the need to vaccinate their children,” she said.

“Even this morning, when I was bringing my children, I called some of my neighbours to come along so their children could also be vaccinated, but they refused.

“They said that when their children fall sick, they will take them to the hospital, and they don’t see the need to give them injections (vaccines) when they are healthy. Many of them have never vaccinated their children.”

Fatima said she tried to enlighten them that her own children hardly fall sick because they are regularly vaccinated.

“I even told them that the current vaccination is free, but they still refused. Their children usually fall sick because they don’t vaccinate them, but mine hardly fall sick because I ensure they are immunis

ed.

“Some parents who refused vaccination have had their children infected with measles, but mine are healthy and safe. That is why I appreciate my husband.”

Fatima advised parents who refuse to vaccinate their children to change their attitude.

“They don’t need to be afraid of the vaccine. It has huge benefits for their children. People are now becoming more aware — even those in remote areas are coming out for vaccination.

“So why should anyone living in an urban area refuse? Truly, I advise all parents, especially mothers, to vaccinate their children because it protects them from deadly diseases.”

This year’s campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years with life-saving vaccines.

Speaking on the progress of the campaign, Halima Ibrahim, a health worker at Arguwan Zango, described it as successful, given that the Masango area is known for non compliance to imminisation over the years.

“A large number of children were brought for vaccination between yesterday, when we started, and today,” she disclosed.

“We almost reached our daily target of 250 children — just a few short of it. We were supposed to close by 1:00 p.m., but on the first day, we stayed until after 4:00 p.m. because of the massive turnout.”

Halima explained that children aged 0 to 59 months are being administered the polio vaccine, while girls aged nine years are receiving the HPV vaccine.

“When we discover that a child has never been vaccinated, we start the process here, refer them to the hospital for follow-up appointments, and counsel the mother accordingly,” she added.

The Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, described the campaign as another milestone in Bauchi State’s journey toward eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases.

Dr. Dambam outlined the campaign’s objective to combine several life-saving vaccines into one coordinated exercise, emphasizing the Bauchi State Government’s strong collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.

The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said the integrated exercise would safeguard the lives of children.

Mohammed appreciated UNICEF and other development partners for their continuous support and urged traditional and religious leaders to mobilize their communities for full participation.

The Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign will run concurrently with routine immunization and other public health services to ensure that children like Fatima’s in Bauchi State are protected from deadly but preventable diseases.