By Ebere Okafor
The Anambra State government has commenced a state-wide Measles-Rubella vaccination exercise.
The launch took place at Iruzu Primary Health Centre, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, represented by Lady Oluchi Ibezim, emphasized that vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from preventable diseases.
She reassured parents that mild reactions such as slight fever or swelling may occur, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Mrs Soludo also appealed to parents, local government chairmen, schools, and religious leaders to support the campaign and ensure over 98 percent of children in the state are vaccinated.
The Zonal Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Samuel Obasi, highlighted the threat Measles and Rubella pose to child health in Nigeria, while Dr Chimuanya Igboekwu of the WHO explained the need to combine vaccinations for both diseases.
Health officials confirmed that the campaign will target about 2.7 million children across all 326 wards, including schools, markets, churches, and hard-to-reach communities, with full monitoring and support systems in place.
