The Nasarawa State Government has pledged its support for the Federal Government’s proposed immunisation programme aimed at eliminating measles and rubella, which is set to launch in October this year.
The state governor, Abdullahi Sule, made the pledge in Lafia on Tuesday at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement for the introduction of the measles and rubella vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule.
The programme was organised by the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the office of the state’s First Lady and the Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS).
During the event, Sule, represented by his deputy Emmanuel Akabe, stressed that his administration accords the highest priority to the health and well-being of residents across the 13 local government areas of the state, especially children.
He further explained that the vaccination will protect children and strengthen the state’s economy and healthcare system.
Sule therefore urged the 13 local government chairmen and their wives, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, women’s groups, and community influencers who were present at the event to give their full support to ensure that the measles and rubella vaccine is fully incorporated into the routine vaccination exercise for children from October.
While stating that no amount of money is too much to meet the health needs of the people, Sule assured that his administration is committed to making the vaccine available and accessible in all healthcare facilities across the state.
‘I strongly endorse the measles-rubella vaccine to be introduced by the Federal Government, the state government, and development partners in October 2025. Measles and rubella are highly contagious and can cause deafness, blindness, heart defects, brain damage, and even death in children.
‘Thankfully, the measles-rubella vaccine provides safe and effective protection. I therefore urge all parents, guardians, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, and community influencers to ensure that children aged 9 to 15 months receive this lifesaving vaccine’, he stated.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Usman Iskilu, commended the governor for demonstrating his love and care for children in the state by endorsing the vaccination exercise, which is set to commence in October.
He noted that the two-in-one measles-rubella vaccine is intended to effectively protect children against the dangerous and highly contagious diseases, which can lead to deafness, blindness, heart defects, and brain damage.
‘The overall goal is to mobilise strong support and sustain commitment from government officials and community leaders for the effective integration of the measles-rubella vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule’, he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, while expressing gratitude to stakeholders for attending the meeting despite their busy schedules, assured that the state would aim to lead in the measles-rubella vaccination exercise among other states in the country, just as it did during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
He said, ‘Just yesterday, I was informed about an outbreak of measles in the Rukubi community of Doma LGA. I did not know that we could still have a measles outbreak despite our efforts to improve immunisation. So, I am happy that the measles-rubella vaccine will now be part of our routine immunisation, and it is coming at the right time.’
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