Ogun Pledges Sufficient Funding for Measles, Rubella Vaccination Drive

The Ogun State Government has assured residents of sufficient funding and logistics for the measles and rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to hold from January 27 to February 5.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, gave the assurance on Friday during the State Task Force on Primary Health Care meeting held in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Salako-Oyedele, who chairs the task force, commended the Ministry of Health, development partners and other stakeholders, particularly UNICEF, for their continued support of the state’s primary healthcare system.

She praised UNICEF for providing ambulance boats to serve riverine communities, noting that the intervention had strengthened healthcare delivery despite existing challenges.

The deputy governor reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to sustaining all primary healthcare interventions across the state. She acknowledged challenges highlighted in the meeting’s report and assured that they would be brought to the governor’s attention for urgent action.

She urged religious organisations, community associations, women groups, the National Orientation Agency and the media to intensify sensitisation ahead of the campaign. According to her, stakeholders should also leverage social media platforms and influencers to reach parents and young people effectively.

“The state government will do everything necessary to ensure the success of the measles–rubella campaign. The request for funding has been made, and we are confident it will be approved promptly,” she said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, commended development partners, religious leaders and community organisations for their sustained collaboration with the state government. She said the meeting reviewed progress in primary healthcare delivery and aligned strategies ahead of the statewide immunisation exercise.

The Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, presented a report on achievements and challenges recorded in 2025. He said the 10-day campaign would target children aged nine months to 14 years across the state.

Ogunsola described the exercise as one of the widest age-range vaccination campaigns, adding that over 8,000 health workers would be deployed to ensure full coverage.

A UNICEF representative, Florence Moloku, commended the state government’s commitment and assured continued technical and financial support for the vaccination campaign.