The Ogun State First Lady and Founder of the Ajose Foundation, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, through the National and State Primary Healthcare Development Board and in collaboration with several international partners, has flagged off the 2026 Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign aimed at immunising about 3 million children across the state.

The flag-off ceremony, held at the Cinema Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, marked the commencement of the campaign which is supported by several international partners including UNICEF, FENET and the World Health Organization (WHO) and targets children aged nine months to 14 years, while routine immunisation will cover babies between nine and 15 months.

Delivering her keynote address, Mrs. Abiodun stressed that measles and rubella are not ordinary childhood illnesses but highly contagious diseases capable of causing severe complications such as pneumonia, brain damage, blindness and deafness. She noted that rubella infection during pregnancy could result in miscarriage, stillbirth and severe birth defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

Quoting the World Health Organization, the First Lady stated that although global measles deaths have dropped by 88 per cent since 2000, an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children, still died from the virus last year.

She described the gathering as significant, noting that it represents “a declaration of our collective resolve as a nation to say ‘No More’ to diseases that steal the future of our sons and daughters,"

“Vaccination remains one of the safest, most effective and affordable public health interventions available. The Measles–Rubella vaccine has been proven worldwide to save lives, reduce childhood illness and protect future generations,” she said.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, said measles-rubella diseases remain one of the leading causes of childhood mortality globally and pose serious risks to pregnant women, potentially resulting in congenital blindness, deafness, visual impairment, mental and growth retardation in unborn children.

She added that outbreaks often occur in areas with low vaccination coverage, exposing children to serious complications and possible death.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Mariam Oloko, said the ministry had sensitised all 20 Zonal Education Officers and engaged parents to ensure children are presented for immunisation. She urged teachers, headteachers and proprietors of private schools to cooperate fully with medical teams, emphasising that prevention is better than cure.

Also speaking, the WHO Representative, Dr. Laura Niclochlainn, said the goal is to sustain high vaccination coverage to protect children, commending health workers for their dedication. She expressed confidence in the success of the exercise, describing the Ogun campaign as the largest measles-rubella vaccination drive globally.