The Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Rahama Farah, has announced that approximately 4.8 million children, aged 9 months to 14 years, are set to receive the measles-rubella vaccine during the upcoming Integrated Polio Vaccination Campaign in Katsina State.
Farah made this statement during a media dialogue in Katsina, discussing the Integrated October Polio Vaccination Campaign. The campaign is scheduled to run from October 6 to October 13, 2025.
He revealed that a total of 2,253 teams would be deployed across the state to administer the vaccine, utilizing both fixed and temporary posts, from October 4 to October 13, 2025.
In preparation for the campaign, Farah outlined UNICEF’s efforts to support Katsina State, including the deployment of 5,584 teams for routine immunization and other vaccines from October 6 to October 10, 2025. These teams will include 3,761 mobile teams conducting house-to-house visits, 993 teams stationed at transit and special points, and 830 teams at fixed posts.
Farah further shared that UNICEF has provided training for 3,300 health workers, focusing on improving communication skills, and has trained 600 Non-Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs). He called on the media to help spread accurate information about the polio vaccine and vaccination process, and to use various platforms to mobilize parents, caregivers, and local communities to ensure children are vaccinated.
He emphasised that the vaccines are free, effective, and safe, urging all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to eradicate polio in Katsina and across Nigeria.
To address non-compliance, Farah announced that 200 NCRTs, each comprising a community leader, a traditional leader, and a vaccinator, will be deployed to resolve any cases during and before the campaign’s intra-phase in real time.
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With UNICEF’s support, Katsina State has also mobilized 6 state facilitators, 21 local government area (LGA) facilitators, 462 voluntary ward supervisors (VWSs), and 4,647 voluntary community mobilizers (VCMs) to assist in the campaign.
Farah underscored the essential role of the media in ensuring the success of the campaign, emphasizing the partnership between UNICEF, the Katsina State Government, and various health agencies. The media’s involvement is crucial in achieving the campaign’s goals.
He added that the Integrated Measles Rubella (MR) and Polio Vaccination Campaign is part of a nationwide effort, spanning all 36 states of Nigeria, with two phases set to take place from October 6, 2025, to February 13, 2026.
As part of the campaign, Katsina State has received 3,698,500 doses of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2), targeting 2.3 million children under five years of age, who will receive the vaccine through Directly Observed Oral Polio Vaccination (DOOPV).
The dialogue, organized by UNICEF and the Katsina State Government, was attended by representatives from the National Emergency Operation Centre, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency.
