Stakeholders in the health sector have been called upon to intensify and extend the measles and rubella vaccination campaign to grassroots communities to curb the spread of the diseases.
The Head of Mission for the Advocacy Project at the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, Dr. Mahmud Zubairu, made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday, warning that low vaccination coverage could result in increased deaths and disabilities, especially among children.
The centre recalled that a measles outbreak in Adamawa State in May 2024 claimed 24 lives, affecting nearly 200 people in two local government areas. It also noted that several cases had been reported nationwide, with Borno State recording many confirmed cases despite battling insurgency for over a decade.
Dr. Zubairu explained that measles, a highly contagious viral disease, remains a significant cause of child mortality globally, while rubella poses severe risks to unborn children if contracted by pregnant women. He stressed that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent both diseases and their complications.
The centre highlighted that while the measles vaccine has been part of Nigeria’s immunisation schedule since 1979, the rubella vaccine is yet to be included in routine immunisation at public health facilities.
It emphasised the importance of achieving herd immunity through widespread vaccination coverage, urging health authorities to prioritise awareness campaigns, promote vaccine safety, and adopt grassroots communication strategies to meet the 95% vaccination target needed to eliminate measles and rubella.
