The Ondo State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has called on traditional leaders, religious figures, and community stakeholders to step up grassroots awareness of the upcoming Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, scheduled to start in January 2026.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa made the appeal at a sensitisation meeting held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, where key players in the health and development sectors gathered to prepare for the statewide rollout of the life-saving vaccine.
Addressing the gathering, The First Lady stressed that Measles-Rubella Vaccine campaign is not just about vaccination; it’s about safeguarding our children’s future,” Mrs. Aiyedatiwa said. “Measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases that continue to claim lives and cause lasting disabilities. As community influencers, I urge you to help dispel myths and misinformation about vaccines.
She stressed that the vaccine is safe, free, and effective for children aged nine months to 15 years, and urged stakeholders to collaborate with community leaders and organisations to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated.
Mrs. Aiyedatiwa applauded her husband, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for prioritizing maternal and child health through ongoing reforms, including the rehabilitation of 102 primary health centres and the hiring of additional health personnel. She also highlighted the success of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Introduction campaign, which vaccinated over 370,000 girls to prevent cervical cancer.
She called on parents and caregivers whose daughters aged nine are yet to receive the HPV vaccine to visit the nearest health facility, stressing the importance of early immunisation for long-term health benefits.
According to Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Measles-Rubella vaccine will replace the routine measles vaccine, addressing concerns over congenital birth defects linked to measles contracted by unvaccinated pregnant women.
Dr. Akanbiemu states that the vaccine, although expensive, is being provided at no cost to prevent avoidable health complications in children and mothers. Dr. Akanbiemu also cautions that unvaccinated women may unknowingly carry health risks into adulthood, putting future pregnancies at risk.
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, Mr. Tunde Ayoola confirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the campaign’s successful implementation, stating that UNICEF will collaborate with other partners to provide technical support and assist in vaccine procurement.
“This meeting is a crucial platform for aligning strategies and strengthening community engagement,” he said. “The success of this rollout depends on our collective efforts, timely resource mobilisation, and consistent advocacy to educate parents on the importance of vaccinating their children.”
