_The immunization targets children between 9 months and 14 yrs_
In an effort to protect children from contacting Measles and Rubella, the Anambra State government in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, is embarking on ten days immunization exercise to take place from 5th to 15th February, 2026.
This was made known during a stakeholders parley organized by the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, ASPHCDA, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, ahead of the immunization exercise against Measles Rubella.
The event which took place at the Chuwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, had in attendance – State health officials, health officials from the 21 local governments of the state, UNICEF representatives, media organizations, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Mrs Chisom Uchem, pointed out that all stakeholders were engaged in the parley to ensure that that message gets to all nooks and crannies of the state, as well as ensure that accurate, timely information to ensure the success of the program.
Mrs Uchem explained that the engagement with media professionals, religious and community leaders, as well as civil society organisations, was aimed at ensuring that accurate, timely, and factual information about the vaccination campaign reached every part of the state.
She said that the exercise would be conducted strictly by trained and licensed health practitioners, in line with national and international health standards.
The Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, who spoke on some issues and misconceptions raised in some quarters regarding vaccination, which some people claim can have negative effects like causing infertility, assured that vaccines are safe and very effective, urging parents, guardians, caregivers and other relatives to counter such unfounded claims, and ensure that they take advantage of the health boosting program especially as it is free and safe.
“We were all vaccinated as children and we are alive today. We cannot give our children anything harmful because their health and well-being remain our top priority,” she said.
Also addressing the participants, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change Consultant, Mr Victor James, emphasized that UNICEF has it as its utmost priority, the well-being of the child, as healthy and sound children determine the the future of any society or nation.
According to UNICEF representative, preventable diseases such as measles and rubella should no longer be a threat to any society when there are solutions to such problems.
“It should not be heard that any child is affected by measles or rubella when we have the knowledge and means to prevent these diseases. The vaccine is safe for our children and has no adverse effects. We therefore urge all stakeholders to ensure that no child is missed during the exercise,” Mr James said.He further called on the media to play an active role in promoting awareness and generating demand for the vaccine across the state.In her presentation, a Paediatrician, Dr Uju Chinenye, warned that failure to immunise eligible children could result in increased disease outbreaks and higher mortality rates.
According to him, non-immunisation could also lead to long-term disabilities, economic losses for families and communities, and serious threats to herd immunity.
“Therefore, sustained vaccination of eligible children, supported by strong community participation and firm government commitment, remains the most effective way forward,”
Also speaking, the State Health Educator, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, assured that health officials would be deployed to healthcare facilities, churches, schools, and mosques to for extensive coverage of the program to achieve the desired result.
In her remarks, Mrs Okonkwo Obunike of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency expressed the agency’s commitment to offering all necessary support to all relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the measles–rubella vaccination campaign.
As the date for the launch of the immunization against Measles/Rubella draws near, appeal has gone to the Media, Traditional Rulers ,and other community leaders, Parents, Guardians, Caregivers and other stakeholders to intensify campaign to ensure that message on the vaccination program gets to all nooks and crannies of Anambra State to ensure that no child of the stipulated age bracket is left out to achieve the desired result.
It is also expected that the immunization exercise being introduced to hold from 4th to 15th February 2026 for persons between 9 months and 14 years, will later continue for routine immunization for children between 9 months and 15 month.
