Taraba Steps Up Measles–Rubella Vaccination Drive to Protect Children.
By Mohammed Tikka.
The Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with development partners, has organized a one-day media orientation workshop in Jalingo ahead of the statewide measles–rubella vaccination campaign.
The workshop brought together the 16 local government chairmen, health officials, and other key stakeholders.
The main purpose was to equip the media and community leaders with the right information to create awareness and mobilize residents for the success of the exercise.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Tukura Nuhu Nyigwa, stressed that the media and local government leaders have a crucial role to play in taking the message to every community.
He noted that with collective effort, the campaign will achieve its goal of protecting children and saving lives.
The vaccination campaign, scheduled for October 18 to 27, will target over 1.6 million children between the ages of 9 months and 14 years across the state.
It will also introduce the new measles–rubella vaccine, which provides stronger protection compared to the old single measles vaccine.
Speaking on behalf of the World Health Organization, Dr. Emmanuel described the campaign as Nigeria’s largest ever, covering nearly half of the country’s population.
He urged local government leaders to give their utmost support and called on the media to help reach parents in both urban centers and hard-to-reach communities.
Health experts at the meeting reminded participants that Nigeria ranks second after the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa for measles cases, accounting for about 54 percent of reported cases on the continent. They emphasized the urgency of the campaign in curbing further outbreaks.
The measles–rubella vaccine, already in use in many countries, is recommended by the World Health Organization as a safe and effective way to prevent the disease.
While measles can cause severe complications like pneumonia and brain infection, rubella poses serious risks for unborn babies if contracted by pregnant women.
The workshop ended with a united call to action: the media should amplify the message, local leaders should support the process, and parents should ensure their children are vaccinated, because every child deserves protection.
