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Ebonyi State authorities have launched a free measles–rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, with the governor’s wife, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, urging families to bring eligible children for immunization. The initiative, launched on Monday at Onuebonyi Primary School in Abakaliki, targets children across all local government areas of the state and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen childhood healthcare in Ebonyi.
Mrs Nwifuru described the vaccine as safe, effective, and provided at no cost to residents.
She called on parents, grandparents, traditional rulers, women leaders, and religious authorities to ensure that children receive all recommended doses on schedule, emphasizing that early prevention is critical to protecting children from serious illness. Local government chairpersons were asked to actively support and monitor the exercise in their areas.
“Health workers will be present in primary health centres, general hospitals, and temporary vaccination posts in markets, churches, schools, and community squares. This is to ensure that no mother has to travel far to vaccinate her child,” Mrs Nwifuru said. She highlighted the risks associated with measles and rubella, noting that the diseases can cause serious illness, blindness, and death. She also said rubella poses particular dangers to pregnant women, potentially resulting in miscarriage or congenital conditions in children.
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The launch coincides with the broader national and regional efforts to improve immunisation coverage. Nigeria has recorded periodic measles outbreaks in several states, and the World Health Organization has identified the disease as a significant contributor to child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rubella, while generally less common than measles, carries substantial risks for pregnant women and infants when contracted during early gestation. Health authorities have consistently emphasised vaccination as the most effective preventive measure.
Philip Ovuba, executive secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the MR vaccine will be administered to children aged nine months to 14 years. He explained that the campaign is part of a suite of public health interventions in the state, including routine immunisation and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme. Mr Ovuba said the campaign would include a post-campaign catch-up programme to ensure children who missed vaccinations, or who were absent during the campaign, are covered.
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He added that the MR vaccine will be integrated into routine immunisation schedules, enabling children in the target age group to access the vaccine at any time. “This will help sustain immunity levels and ensure that children remain protected against these diseases,” he said.
Health Commissioner Moses Ekuma called on parents, caregivers, and community stakeholders to cooperate with health workers to ensure the vaccination drive is successful. He commended the governor and his wife for initiatives that support maternal, newborn, and child health, highlighting the administration’s continued focus on expanding access to preventive healthcare across the state.
Representatives from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Danladi Ndahi and Frank Nwaodika respectively, attended the launch and commended the state government’s commitment to childhood immunisation. Both urged residents to present their children for vaccination and emphasised the role of community engagement in achieving high coverage.
The campaign reflects ongoing efforts at both state and federal levels to strengthen Nigeria’s immunisation infrastructure. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health have implemented similar MR campaigns in multiple states, aiming to reduce child mortality and control outbreaks. These initiatives are often complemented by support from international partners such as WHO and UNICEF, which provide technical assistance, vaccines, and logistical support.
Across Nigeria, attention to childhood vaccination has increased in recent years amid outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and broader public health campaigns. States with high immunisation coverage have reported declines in measles-related hospitalisations and fatalities, underscoring the importance of widespread participation. Health experts have stressed that local campaigns like Ebonyi’s play a critical role in reaching children in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The MR campaign also aims to enhance public awareness of immunisation schedules and the importance of timely vaccination. Mrs Nwifuru and officials noted that the programme would involve both fixed health facilities and temporary vaccination posts in community hubs to maximise accessibility. Authorities hope this approach will reduce logistical barriers for parents and caregivers, particularly in remote areas where travel to health centres can be difficult.
Previous health campaigns in Ebonyi have targeted a range of childhood diseases, including polio, yellow fever, and meningitis. Officials say integrating MR vaccination into routine immunisation programmes will help sustain gains made in previous campaigns and ensure ongoing protection against measles and rubella for future cohorts of children.
While details on specific rollout strategies and funding mechanisms for the MR campaign are yet to be published, the government has stressed its commitment to transparency and community engagement.
Officials have encouraged traditional and religious leaders to act as advocates for vaccination and to help dispel misinformation about vaccines, which has been identified as a factor in low uptake in some areas.
As the MR campaign begins, the Abakaliki launch serves as a model for the rest of the state. Authorities plan to deploy health teams across urban and rural areas, using a combination of fixed health centres and mobile outreach posts.
Officials emphasise that the initiative is designed to be inclusive, reaching children regardless of socioeconomic status, and aligned with national goals for disease control and child health promotion.
The campaign is expected to continue over several weeks, with follow-up monitoring and evaluation to track coverage rates and identify areas requiring additional support. State health authorities have committed to providing regular updates to ensure residents are informed about vaccination schedules and locations.
