Federal government has pledged communication and advocacy support for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella, MR, vaccination campaign scheduled for October.
This assurance was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, during a courtesy visit by the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, C-WINS.
A statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, in Abuja, yesterday, praised the team’s commitment to public health and child wellbeing.
Idris affirmed the ministry’s readiness to champion public sensitisation efforts that would ensure the campaign’s success.
“You have come to the right place. The ministry of information and national orientation exists to support and amplify initiatives like this.
“We will work with you and relevant agencies under our ministry to ensure that Nigerians are well-informed about the dangers of Rubella and the need for vaccination.”
“Many Nigerians, like myself, may be familiar with measles, but are unaware of Rubella and its devastating effects.
“That children can be born blind, deaf or with heart defects due to maternal rubella infection is a tragedy we must work together to prevent,”: he said.
He emphasised the ministry’s readiness to co-develop strategic messaging and support public education efforts nationwide.
The minister also encouraged the team to engage the National Assembly for broader legislative support.
“We do not want this to be a one-off meeting, let us make this partnership continuous, impactful and far-reaching.
“Prevention is better than cure, and this is one area where information truly saves lives,” Idris said.
According to the statement, the delegation from C-WINS, led by the Project Lead, Dr Nihinlola Mabogunje, briefed the minister on the urgent need to raise public awareness ahead of the October campaign.
Mabogunje also delivered a comprehensive presentation on the life-saving importance of the Measles-Rubella vaccine.
She explained that it is an often-overlooked threat, especially to pregnant women.
According to her, contracting rubella in the first trimester can result in Congenital Rubella Syndrome, CRS, leading to babies born blind, deaf or with severe heart abnormalities.
Mabogunje assured Idris of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, noting that it has been used worldwide for over 50 years.
“It is credited with saving more than 94 million lives. I commend NAFDAC’s stringent regulatory review and endorsement of the vaccine for safe use in Nigeria.
“I urge the ministry to lead a national communication effort to combat misinformation and build public trust.
“To reach the target of 95 percent vaccination coverage, we need accurate, trusted and consistent messaging delivered through the channels that everyday Nigerians rely on,” she said. NAN
