The Imo State Government has commenced a statewide Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign across the 27 local government areas of the state.
The campaign was officially flagged off on Tuesday in Owerri by the Wife of the Governor, Chioma Uzodimma, who said the exercise was aimed at protecting children from measles and congenital rubella syndrome.
Uzodimma commended the Federal Government for its efforts toward eradicating measles and rubella in Nigeria and for introducing the combined vaccine in Imo State.
She said the initiative aligns with the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s commitment to preventive healthcare and the reduction of child morbidity and mortality in the state.
According to her, the vaccination exercise is expected to reach thousands of children and forms part of a broader national and global effort to eliminate measles and curb complications associated with rubella.
“I appeal to our traditional, religious, community and civic leaders to sensitise the people to present their children for immunisation.
“Please let us immunise all children from nine months to 14 years of age. That way, we know they are protected from measles–rubella disease,” Uzodimma added.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kosilisochukwu Ekenjoku, said the state was fully prepared for the statewide vaccination campaign.
She assured residents that the vaccines were safe and free, describing immunisation as the most effective means of preventing childhood diseases.
Ekenjoku disclosed that all necessary logistics had been put in place to ensure a successful exercise.
“All necessary logistics, including vaccine availability, cold chain systems and trained health personnel, have been deployed for the success of the vaccination campaign,” she said.
She added that awareness and sensitisation activities were ongoing across the 27 local government areas to encourage parents and caregivers to present their eligible children for vaccination.
According to her, the immunisation exercise will run from February 4 to 16, 2026.
“A key feature of the campaign is the introduction of the measles–rubella vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule, replacing the measles-only vaccine,” Ekenjoku said.
She described the campaign as a crucial step toward strengthening routine immunisation, preventing disease outbreaks and improving child survival.
Also speaking, the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, represented by Dr Chidinma Okoro, said the introduction of the measles–rubella vaccine was a deliberate effort to reduce maternal and child mortality in the state.
She assured that the ministry was committed to ensuring that every eligible child is immunised during the campaign.
According to the World Health Organisation, measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes.
It can lead to severe illness, serious complications and, in some cases, death.
Although measles can affect people of all ages, it is most common among children.
The virus initially attacks the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and a widespread skin rash.
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