FCTA to conduct mop-Up Immunization for unvaccinated Children

By Daniel Tyokua


The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to conduct a 3-day mop-up immunization exercise targeting unvaccinated children across the territory.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, on Thursday, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said the exercise aims to ensure all eligible children are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

She said the exercise involving 132 vaccination teams will reach unvaccinated children within identified non-compliant schools and institutions as well as other areas, during the ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.


Fasawe stated that the move was in the wake of several schools within the FCT refusing access to vaccination teams, warning that it would soon embark on enforcement of child immunisation compliance in schools under the Child Rights Act (CRA), 2003.

According to her, the non-compliance not only denied eligible children protection against measles and rubella but also disrupted the daily implementation plans of the campaign.


Fasawe, cautioned that denying a child access to vaccination is, therefore, not merely an administrative lapse; but a violation of a fundamental child right.

She added that in response to the current situation, the Secretariat has taken the actions such compiling a comprehensive list of non-compliant schools and institutions, initiated targeted advocacy and community sensitization activities; issued letters to affected schools reminding them of their legal responsibilities under the CRA.

“We have successfully immunized most of the target population, demonstrating the commitment of our health workers and the strong collaboration between the FCT Administration, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and our development partners.


“During the exercise, FCTA added an innovation to enhance vaccination uptake through linkage with Health Insurance. Also, FCT Health Insurance Scheme [FHIS] supported 600 vaccination teams in the six Area councils with reflective jackets.

“We celebrate this success, we must also confront the challenges that threaten the full realization of our campaign goals.”

The Secretary also appealed to all parents to use the opportunity to ensure their children are allowed to be vaccinated in line with the Child Health Act at schools.


“Immunization is safe, effective, and essential for protecting every child. We also take this moment to inform parents and guardians of the ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to strengthen immunization access and disease prevention across all communities.

“We appeal to all school Proprietors, Administrators, and Parents to join hands with us to uphold the health rights of our children. Immunization saves lives — it is a collective responsibility, a legal duty, and a moral imperative.

“Together, we can ensure that no child in the Federal Capital Territory is denied protection from preventable diseases”, she stressed.

Fasawe said, To strengthen enforcement and ensure sustainability, she pointed out that the FCT Administration has approved the following directives for all public and private schools: mandatory immunization verification during admission, re-admission, or transfer; maintenance of a child health register in every school; collaboration with nearby Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) for on-site immunization sessions;


“Regular inclusion of immunization awareness in school assemblies and PTA meetings; and
submission of monthly compliance reports through the Education Secretariat to HSES.

“Failure to comply with these directives will attract administrative sanctions under existing FCT Education and Public Health Regulations”, she warned.