Gladness Gideon
Fresh outbreak of measles has struck Rukubi community in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, just months ahead of the official rollout of a landmark measles-rubella vaccination campaign scheduled for October.
The state government, alarmed by the rising number of cases, convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Lafia on Tuesday to intensify sensitisation efforts and prepare for the integration of the new dual vaccine into routine immunisation schedules.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, emphasized the urgent need to tackle both measles and rubella, describing them as highly infectious diseases that pose a grave threat to young children, including unborn babies.
“Measles and rubella are not just childhood illnesses — they are silent destroyers that can lead to blindness, deafness, and even death if not treated early,” Dr. Akabe said, citing his personal experience as a medical practitioner. “Many children who survive rubella end up losing their sight. The threat is real, and the vaccine is our shield.”
In response to the outbreak in Doma, Commissioner for Health Dr. Gaza Gwamna confirmed that medical teams have been swiftly deployed to Rukubi and surrounding areas to contain the spread of the virus. He stressed that while the rollout of the vaccine is set for October, its success depends heavily on community engagement and addressing cultural and religious concerns.
“We can’t just introduce a vaccine without preparing the ground,” Dr. Gwamna noted. “This is why we’re involving local government chairmen, their spouses, and other grassroots influencers in this critical phase of sensitisation.”
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Dr. Usman Iskilu, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, praised the state’s leadership for prioritising child health and endorsing the new immunisation strategy. He explained that the two-in-one vaccine protects against both measles and rubella, diseases that can cause lifelong disabilities such as heart defects, brain damage, and developmental delays.
“The aim is to ensure no child suffers needlessly from diseases we can prevent,” Dr. Iskilu stated. “This vaccine is more than a medical intervention — it’s a commitment to safeguarding the future of Nasarawa’s children.”
With Nigeria continuing to grapple with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, the Nasarawa State government is hoping its proactive approach — including early stakeholder mobilisation — will serve as a model for other states ahead of the nationwide immunisation effort.
As the October launch approaches, public health officials say community cooperation will be key to breaking the cycle of transmission and giving every child a fair shot at a healthy future.