Enugu Vaccinates 1.5 Million Children In One Week As Measles-Rubella Campaign Gains Momentum

Enugu State has vaccinated over 1.5 million children against measles and rubella within just one week of launching its statewide immunisation campaign, marking a major milestone in its push to eliminate the diseases.

The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku, disclosed that the figure represents 68 per cent of the state’s 2.2 million target population.

The announcement was made during the official flag-off of the integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

Describing the turnout as unprecedented, Ani-Ocheku said the campaign signals Enugu’s firm commitment to achieving zero measles and zero rubella cases.

She noted that health workers have undertaken aggressive community mobilisation efforts — moving door-to-door and reaching schools, churches and mosques — to ensure no eligible child is left out.

Medical experts warn that measles, which incubates for 10 to 14 days, can cause blindness, deafness, brain swelling and death, while rubella poses serious risks including congenital disabilities in unborn children.

The state government confirmed that no serious adverse effects have been recorded since the campaign began.

Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the vaccination drive as a “sacred obligation,” stressing that child health remains central to the administration’s economic and development agenda.

He urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the remaining days of the campaign to close the immunity gap, particularly as the virus exploits unvaccinated populations.

The two-week statewide exercise, which began on February 3, is scheduled to end on February 15.