Ebonyi first lady begins campaign against measles, rubella

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has flagged- off a sensitization/awareness campaign against measles and rubella in the state.

Flagging off the campaign at the Women Development Center Abakaliki on Monday, Mrs Nwifuru said it was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of the country,v Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

She noted that measles and rubella were preventable and advocated for regular application of vaccines on children to prevent the diseases

“Today marks a significant step in our efforts to create awareness and sensitization of vaccine ahead of the October 25th massive vaccination against measles and rubella.

“Government would continue to invest in immunization, all government appointees have a role to play in ensuring the success of the campaign”, she said.

Mrs Nwifuru said that the advocacy/sensitization campaign would focus on use of radio/television outlets, community engagement, outreach by health workers to reach out to the grassroot.

“As an advocate of maternal and child health, the campaign align with the vision of Renewed Hope Initiative and BERWO Foundation.

“Vaccine is a life saver, it is not meant to kill anybody, I urge all parents, caretakers to bring their children to the nearest vaccination center”

The State Commissioner for Health Dr Moses Ekuma, stated that the essence of the gathering was for awareness and sensitizatio creation on measles and rubella vaccine.

The Commissioner emphasized that the awareness campaign commenced early enough inorder to take the message to the villages.

“We discovered that why some people do not accept vaccination for their children was because they were not informed before the health workers visit them for vaccination.

“We do not want any single case of measles in Ebonyi State, because measles is a killer of children, it is preventable.

“We are talking about this ailment because it is a killer of our children, by October 2925 there will be mass vaccination of children “, he stated.

In an address, the World Health Organization Surveillance Officer Dr Elandi Dadi, noted that the endemic rate of measles has reduced drastically due to intensive campaign.

“For Ebonyi State in 2022, the State recorded 322 suspected cases of measles with 49 confirmed cases,

“In 2023, it came down to 118 suspected cases with 19 confirmed, WHO embarked on this campaigns because of its outbreak.

“In 2024, we had about 86 suspected cases with only one confirmed, you can see that there is downward reduction”

He said that WHO strategic programme 2023- 2030 was geared towards eradicating measles.

In a lecture delivered by the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dr Ndidiamaka Lilian Nwaobashi titled, “Benefits of Vaccines Measles and Rubella”, harps on the need for mothers and caregivers to report early detection to the hospital.

Mrs Nwaobashi identified high fever, rashes, cough, catarrh and reddish of the eyes as major symptoms of measles.

“The difference between measles and rubella is traceable in the way they present to their victims, vaccination is the cure for both”

Contributing, the Ebonyi State Immunization Officer Mr Nwodom Christopher, said that the target for Ebonyi State is children between 9-15 months.

“Ebonyi State has 352,000 children to be vaccinated, our target is to ensure that those children are being reached”

“We are starting the sensitization activity now at the state, wards and the grassroots, by October 2025, the implementation proper would come up”

It would be noted that the Federal Government has slated October 2025, as the date for the take off of massive vaccination of children between 5-15 months against measles and rubella.