The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, on Wednesday officially flagged off the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign in the state, urging residents to prioritise immunisation as a key protective measure against preventable diseases.
The launch took place at Iruzu Primary Health Centre, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, marking the commencement of a state-wide vaccination drive targeting children aged nine months to 14 years. Rubella, a variant of measles, poses significant health risks to children within this age group.
The campaign is being implemented in collaboration with national and international partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other stakeholders.
Dr Soludo, represented at the event by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluchi Ibezim, emphasised that vaccination is a safe, effective, and early method to protect children from life-threatening diseases. She advised parents not to be alarmed by minor reactions such as slight fever, swelling, or temporary discomfort, reassuring them that trained health workers and referral systems are in place to manage any concerns.
She called on parents, local government officials, schools, and religious leaders to support the campaign and ensure that over 98 per cent of children in Anambra State receive the vaccine.
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Speaking at the event, Dr Samuel Obasi, Zonal Director of NPHCDA, said measles and rubella remain major threats to child health in Nigeria but expressed confidence that the state government’s commitment would ensure the programme’s success. Dr Chimuanya Igboekwu, WHO Zonal Coordinator, explained that measles and rubella share similar symptoms, making the combined vaccination critical for full protection. He confirmed that WHO and partners would support the state government in reaching all 326 wards, targeting approximately 2.7 million children through schools, markets, places of worship, and hard-to-reach communities.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, and the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Chisom Uchem, assured that monitoring and supervision mechanisms are in place to guarantee maximum coverage of the vaccination exercise.
The campaign aligns with the governor’s wife’s continued advocacy for child health, following her call in October 2025 for nursing mothers to immunise their children against polio, measles, and other childhood diseases during the World Polio Day observance.
