Kogi collaborates with UNICEF, WHO ,others for Measles Rubella Vaccination
The Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) says plan has reached advance stage for vaccination of children between nine months and fourteen years old in the state, with measles Rubella vaccine. The Executive Director of the Agency, Dr. Musa Muazu dropped this hint on Monday at a one- day media orientation forum in […]
The Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) says plan has reached advance stage for vaccination of children between nine months and fourteen years old in the state, with measles Rubella vaccine.
The Executive Director of the Agency, Dr. Musa Muazu dropped this hint on Monday at a one- day media orientation forum in Lokoja.
The Executive Director who was represented by the Deputy Director, Administration, Mallam Musa Bashir said the Measles Rubella(MR) vaccination campaign is expected to be carried out in the 21 Local Government Areas between October 4th to 13th, 2025.
He said the essence of the one -day media engagement is to keep journalists abreast with relevant information about Measles Rubella, also known as German measles.
“The media would enhance effective awareness creation; enlightenment of citizens, and counter rumours or misconception down to the grass-roots on the preventive campaign.
“Parents across the 21 local government areas of the state should make their children available in their large numbers for the preventive vaccination against the dreaded disease that has no cure; but 95 percent preventable with vaccination”, he said .
Earlier, Dr. Abdulrahman Hudu of UNICEF had told the participants that Measles Rubella, a respiratory illness differs from regular measles, stressing that it can be contracted through transmission, air borne and direct contact
“Most people don’t even know they have it ; it spreads easily through coughing , sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces . Many people don’t show symptoms but can still spread it to others .
“A pregnant woman with Rubella can pass it to her baby .Babies born with congenital Rubella syndrome may have blindness ,deafness,health defects ,brain damage and miscarriage or still birth.
“One person with measles would give to 12 to 18 other persons;
Over 10,000 babies in Nigeria suffer birth defects each year , may be do to Rubella attack.
“One out of every 1,000 measles cases will develop acute encephalitis , resulting in permanent brain damage; One to three out of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications”, he said .
According to the stakeholders , trained health workers will be at fixed and temporary post to carry out the vaccination for eight days in October consequently .
“Vaccination will take place in designated posts : health facilities, schools , markets , motor parks, mosques, churches ,play grounds and other prominent or influential leaders’ lodge”, said Dr Mary Onoja , stakeholder from ministry of health .
In attendance were representatives of partners such as World Health Organisation(WHO); African Field Epidemiology, Network (AFENET), International Vaccine Access Centres (IVAC), Chigari Foundation .