By Ovat Abeng
Anambra Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has officially flagged off the Measles-Rubbela vaccination in the state.
The flag-off ceremony took place at Iruzu Primary Health Centre, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, on Wednesday, and officially marked the state-wide administration of the vaccine to children across the 21 local government areas of the state.
The Measles-Rubbela Vaccine Introduction Campaign in Anambra is run in partnership with national and global partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UNICEF and other key counterparts.
Rubbela is a variant of measles, with a significant threat to children from 9 months to 14 years.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the governor’s wife, Mrs Soludo, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor of the State, Lady Oluchi Ibezim, stated that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect Anambra children, quietly, safely, and, most importantly, early.
She noted that some children may have mild reactions after vaccination; a little fever, some crying, slight swelling, but reassured that while those signs would pass quickly, what should concern parents more is allowing the preventable disease to take hold.
Mrs Soludo also reassured parents and caregivers that health workers who would be taking part in the exercise are trained and prepared for the task, adding that support systems and referral sites have been effectively put in place to deal with any concern.
The governor’s wife also appealed to stakeholders, including parents, local government mayors, schools, and religious leaders, to assist in making the programme a success by ensuring that over 98% of children in Anambra State are vaccinated.
In his remarks, the Zonal Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Samuel Obasi, noted Measles and Rubbela remains one of the major threats to child health in Nigeria, but with the state’s government strong commitment to health, there is assurance that the vaccination programme will achieve massive success.
On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Chimuanya Igboekwu explained that Measles and Rubella share almost the same symptoms, making individual vaccinations for the sicknesses incomplete without covering both.
He assured that the WHO and other partners are solidly behind the state government to ensure full coverage in all the 326 wards in Anambra State, targeting about 2.7 million children across markets, churches, schools, worship places and even hard-to-reach communities in the state.
In their remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, explained that adequate monitoring and supervision have already been put in place to ensure that all stakeholders are effectively mobilized to achieve maximum coverage in the programme.
