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Malaria: Ondo begins vaccination February 2

The Ondo State Government has declared its readiness to shut down any private primary or secondary school that obstructs health workers in the conduct of the Measles–Rubella and Malaria (MRM) vaccination exercise scheduled to hold between February 2 and 11, 2026.The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr Francis Akanbiemu, stated this during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the Measles–Rubella and Malaria vaccination held in Akure .The vaccination exercise, which will run alongside the Measles–Rubella campaign, is expected to target eligible children across the state, including those enrolled in private primary and secondary schools.Dr Akanbiemu disclosed that an existing public health law prescribes punishment for any individual or institution that prevents health workers from carrying out their legitimate duties, including vaccination.Represented by the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Victor Adefesoye, the Permanent Secretary advised private schools to cooperate fully with health officials during the exercise.He described vaccination as the most reliable means of preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and guaranteeing a healthy future for children, noting that the government has invested heavily to ensure the availability of safe and effective vaccines.He charged stakeholders, particularly the management of private schools, to support the campaign by properly sensitising parents and guardians to ensure the effective implementation of the exercise.According to him, schools may go as far as dismissing pupils whose parents refuse vaccination for their children and admitting only those who can provide evidence of vaccination.He explained that the Malaria vaccine targets children between five and 21 months and is administered in four doses.“The second dose comes four weeks after the first dose. The third dose also comes four weeks after the second dose, while the fourth dose comes six months after the third dose,” he stated.Dr Akanbiemu added that both the Measles–Rubella and Malaria vaccines would become part of the routine immunisation programme after the campaign.He further stated that the Measles–Rubella vaccine would be administered in two doses at nine months and 16 months, while the 10-day campaign would target eligible children between nine months and 14 years.A consultant with UNICEF in the Abuja office, Mrs Olasumbo Babafemi, disclosed that Ondo State is among the few states selected to pilot and integrate the Malaria vaccine into the Measles–Rubella vaccination programme.She noted that the initiative would strengthen child health and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases, adding that strong leadership, collaboration and commitment—especially from schools—are critical to reaching every eligible child.Babafemi clarified that the Measles–Rubella and Malaria vaccines are meant for both male and female children, explaining that only the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine specifically targets the girl child.She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Ondo State through coordination, community engagement and effective implementation strategies to ensure successful outcomes.Speaking on stakeholders’ roles, a UNICEF representative, Morounke Orhorhamreru, emphasised the importance of strong advocacy and community education, calling on schools and the media to disseminate accurate information on the vaccination campaign.She urged media organisations to integrate Measles–Rubella and other immunisation messages into their programmes and activities.“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility. We must ensure that every child is protected through adequate vaccination,” she said.In her presentation, the State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Florence Fadiji, described Measles and Rubella as highly contagious viral diseases with serious consequences, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.“Vaccination helps to build immunity, prevent outbreaks and epidemics, reduce mortality, and protect communities. It also prevents severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and congenital rubella syndrome,” she said.She disclosed that the vaccination exercise would be conducted over 10 days, with two additional days for mop-up activities at fixed and mobile posts, including visits to schools.