The Wife of the executive Governor of Ebonyi State Mrs. Maudline Nwifuru, has called on parents to ensure their children receive measles and rubella vaccinations, assuring them of the vaccines’ safety......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
This appeal was made during the flag-off of a sensitization and awareness campaign on measles and rubella vaccination in the state on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event held at the Women Development Center, Abakaliki, Mrs. Nwifuru laid emphasis that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
She emphasized that measles and rubella are preventable diseases and stressed the importance of routine vaccination in safeguarding children’s health.
“Today marks a significant step in our efforts to create awareness and sensitization of vaccines 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 stated.
Mrs Nwifuru promised that the advocacy/sensitization campaign would focus on use of different platforms such as 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 aligns with the vision of the 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”, She encouraged.
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, stated that the heart of the gathering was for awareness and sensitization on measles and rubella vaccine.
The commissioner also emphasized that the awareness campaign commenced early enough in order to take the message to the villages.
“We discovered that some people do not accept vaccination for their children 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, and it is preventable.
“We are talking about this ailment because it is a killer of our children, by October 2025 there will be mass vaccination of children,” he said.
The World Health Organization Surveillance Officer, Dr Elandi Dadi, pointed out that the endemic rate of measles has reduced drastically due to an intensive campaign stating that WHO strategic programme 2023- 2030 was geared towards eradicating measles.
President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr Ndidiamaka Lilian Nwaobashi in a lecture titled, “Benefits of Vaccines Measles and Rubella”, hammered on the need for mothers and caregivers to report early detection of these diseases to the hospital.
Mrs Nwaobashi identified major symptoms of measles such as high fever, rashes, cough, catarrh and reddish of the eyes.
“We are starting the sensitization activity now at the state, wards and the grassroots, by October 2025, the implementation proper would come up,” She said.
This is also a reminder 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.
The event had in attendance members of the State Executive Council, Development Partners, traditional rulers, council chairmen, health workers, market women and officials of World Health Organization (WHO).