Over  1.5m children  receive measles, rubella vaccines in 7 days as Enugu pushes zero cases

Enugu State government says over 1.5 million children have received vaccination against measles and rubella in the ongoing statewide immunisation campaign against the diseases, maintaining it’s commitment to achieving  zero cases of the diseases.

The  government made the disclosure on Wednesday during the flag-off of the integrated  Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign  held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia delivering

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State P mrimary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku, described the exercise as a historic and deliberate move to protect the future of the state.

“We are gathered here today not just for a ceremony but for a declaration.  We declare that the life of a child in Nsukka is as valuable as the life of a child in New York. In Enugu, the health of our children is non-negotiable. We declare zero measles and zero rubella in Enugu State, ” she said.

Executive ENPHCDA Secretary ,Dr. Ani-Ocheku,

Dr. Ani-Ocheku revealed that within seven days of the campaign, more than 1.5 million children had been vaccinated, representing about 68 per cent of the target population  of 2.2 million. She described the figure as unprecedented in recent times.

According to her, health workers embarked on aggressive community mobilisation, moving from house to house, schools to schools, churches to churches and mosques to mosques to ensure no child was left out. She said that no serious adverse effects had been recorded since the exercise began.

The Executive Secretary explained that measles incubates for 10 to 14 days, and can cause blindness, deafness, brain swelling and even death, while rubella, incubating for 14 to 21 days, poses serious risks including congenital disabilities in unborn children.

Talking about the safety of the vaccines, Dr. Ani- Ocheku said, “Science has gifted us a vaccine, one shot, double protection. The vaccine is safe and effective, and this success belongs to our communities”.

She commended Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s reforms in the health sector, including the transformation of primary healthcare departments into functional Local Government Health Authorities, timely release of counterpart funding, improved staff welfare, and the ongoing construction of a 300-bed multi-specialist hospital aimed at positioning Enugu as a medical tourism hub.

Performing the flag- off, Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah  , who was represented  the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the vaccination campaign as a sacred obligation of government.

He said, “Our future is not in the roads we build or the industries we attract. Our future is sitting in classrooms, playing in courtyards and lying in cradles across Enugu State. Our future is  our children,” he said.

He stressed that health remains a central pillar of his  administration’s economic strategy, noting that a sick child cannot learn or grow into the Innovator, Engineer or leader.

Prof. Onyia highlighted key reform carried out by the government, including granting autonomy to local government health authorities to remove bottlenecks in service delivery, sanitising primary healthcare payroll systems, revitalising health training institutions, and ensuring access to Basic Health Care Provision Funds.

Chairman Oji -River Local Government Area,Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike

He urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the remaining days of the campaign to close the immunity gap, by ensuring their children between 9 months to 14 years receive the vaccines.

“In vaccination, 68 percent is commendable, but it is not enough. The virus looks for the gaps. Let us find the remaining children. Our goal is simple,  zero measles, zero rubella, full protection,” he said.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Dr. George Ugwu, the Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Hon Greg, Anyaegbudike , who spoke on behalf of other council chairmen, Development partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO) UNICEF, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, traditional rulers, among others.

They urged parents and caregivers who have   children of 9 months to 14 years yet to be vaccinated to make them available for the vaccines before the 15 February ,2026 deadline, assuring residents that the vaccines are safe, effective and critical to safeguarding the health and future of Enugu’s children.

Some school children in attendance

Highlights of the event were administration of the measles and rubella vaccines on some children and debate championship by selected school pupils.