Fathers lead charge as Measles-Rubella campaign records huge success in Yola South
The ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa has been hailed as a remarkable success, with impressive turnout and wide community acceptance.
Stakeholders attributed the achievement to strong collaboration among health authorities, traditional institutions, and community-based groups, particularly the “Fathers for Good Health” initiative, which played a transformative role in mobilizing parents and caregivers.
The activity was organized by Adamawa State government in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and Javi
One of such local champions is Malam Umar Ali, Chairman of Fathers for Good Health in Wuro Hausa community, Yola South.
Speaking on their activities, Ali said the group worked closely with ward heads, religious institutions, and schools to sensitize residents on the importance of immunization.
“We collaborate with traditional leaders, visit churches and mosques, and go to schools, both public and private to enlighten parents. Through this, we’ve seen total acceptance in our area. There has been no rejection or myth-related hesitation. Our members visit families directly to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated,” he said.
He noted that the group’s ten members in were motivated by the positive response of their communities. The collaboration between the group and local education authorities further ensured that school-age children were not left out of the exercise.
“All school principals and headmasters gave us full cooperation. By the time vaccination teams arrived, everything went smoothly, no resistance, no problem at all,” he said.
Speaking during the exercise, Eke Jorge, Social Behaviour Change Specialist at UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, commended the level of awareness and participation across Adamawa communities. He described the turnout as evidence of effective mobilization and improved social acceptance of immunization.
“We’ve seen a very large turnout of women and children, and importantly, fathers are stepping up to play their roles. Before now, men were mostly passive about child immunization, but this campaign is changing that norm. Fathers are now leading mobilization, bringing their children to vaccination points, and encouraging others to do the same,” he said.
Jorge attributed the success to strong coordination by the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) with technical support from UNICEF and other partners.
He also highlighted the role of local structures like Fathers for Good Health in reaching hard-to-reach communities and ensuring that no child was left unvaccinated.
“We deliberately selected fathers within their own communities to lead mobilization. That way, even in distant or security-compromised areas, people are reached by trusted voices they know. The results have been outstanding,” he added.
For many caregivers and parents, the exercise was both enlightening and reassuring. Nwala Caroline Chinyere, a student nurse who volunteered as a caregiver, shared that while managing crying children could be challenging, most parents were cooperative and understood the importance of the vaccines once the process was explained to them.
“Once we explained to them the benefit of the vaccine, they gladly accept it. The children also adjusted when they saw other kids being vaccinated. The awareness in this community really helped,” she said.
For Mohammed Kasim, a father of three, the campaign was a personal mission. He said he decided to bring his children and relatives for vaccination after being motivated by the advocacy of Fathers for Good Health and consistent messages from media outlets.
“I have come to understand that vaccination is the only way to protect children from deadly diseases. I’ve seen people who regretted not taking their children for immunization, and I don’t want to make the same mistake,” he said.
Health officials in Yola South have credited the strong community engagement, extensive awareness creation, and involvement of men as key factors in the campaign’s success. The exercise not only increased immunization coverage but also strengthened trust between health workers and local communities.
As the state reviews outcomes from the campaign, Yola South stands as a model of what can be achieved when fathers, mothers, traditional institutions, and health authorities unite for the health of children.
“The tide is changing. Immunization is no longer seen as a woman’s duty alone. Fathers are now champions of child health, and that’s a huge step forward for our communities,” Jorge said.
