Enugu immunises 1.5m children against measles, rubella in one week

The Enugu State Government has vaccinated more than 1.5 million children against measles and rubella within the first week of its ongoing statewide immunisation campaign.

The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku, disclosed this on Wednesday during the official flag-off of the integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination exercise at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

Ani-Ocheku said the number represents about 68 per cent of the state’s 2.2 million target population, describing the achievement as unprecedented and evidence of the government’s commitment to eliminating both diseases.

She characterised the campaign as a historic effort aimed at safeguarding children’s health and future.

“We are not just here for a ceremony but for a declaration. The life of every child in Enugu is priceless. We are determined to achieve zero measles and zero rubella cases,” she said.

According to her, health workers have intensified community mobilisation by going door-to-door and visiting schools, churches, and mosques to ensure no child is missed. She added that no serious adverse reactions have been recorded since the campaign began.

Ani-Ocheku explained that measles, which incubates for 10 to 14 days, can lead to complications such as blindness, deafness, brain swelling and death, while rubella, with an incubation period of 14 to 21 days, poses serious risks including birth defects in unborn babies. She described the vaccine as safe and effective, offering dual protection with a single dose.

She also commended Governor Peter Mbah for reforms in the health sector, including restructuring primary healthcare services and ensuring timely release of counterpart funding.

Representing the governor at the event, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the vaccination drive as a “sacred obligation,” stressing that children’s health remains central to the administration’s development agenda.

“Our future is our children. A healthy child can learn, innovate and lead. That is why health is a core pillar of our economic strategy,” Onyia said.

He highlighted key reforms such as granting autonomy to local government health authorities, sanitising payroll systems, revitalising health training institutions, and improving access to Basic Health Care Provision Funds.

While commending the 68 per cent coverage, Onyia urged parents and caregivers to ensure eligible children between nine months and 14 years receive the vaccine before the campaign ends.

“The virus exploits gaps. Let us reach every child. Our goal remains full protection,” he said.

In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, and the Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, encouraged residents to take advantage of the remaining days of the exercise.

The two-week immunisation campaign, which began on February 3, is scheduled to end on February 15.