Nasarawa State government has pledged its support for the federal government’s proposed measles-rubella vaccination to be introduced in October.
The measles-rubella vaccination is to be administered to children between nine-15 months through routine immunisation to eliminate measles and rubella.
Governor Abdullahi Sule pledged the support at a stakeholders meeting yesterday in Lafia, ahead of the introduction of the vaccine.
The stakeholder’s meeting was organised by the Nasarawa State Primary HealthCare Development Agency, NSPHCDA, in collaboration with the office of the Wife of the Governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, and Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions, C-WINS.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, emphasised that his administration accorded topmost priority to the health and wellbeing of the residents.
Sule explained that the vaccination would not only protect children but also strengthen the economy and the healthcare system of the state.
Sule, therefore, urged chairmen of the 13 local government areas and their wives, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders to ensure that the programme succeeds.
The governor also promised that his administration would make the vaccine available and accessible in all healthcare facilities across the state.
“I strongly endorse the measles-rubella vaccine to be introduced in October 2025.
“Measles and Rubella are highly contagious and are the cause of deafness, blindness, heart defects, brain damage and even death in children.
“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 life-saving vaccine,” Sule said.
In his remark, Dr Usman Iskilu-Saleh executive secretary of NSPHCDA, appreciated Governor Sule for demonstrating his love and care for children by endorsing the vaccination exercise.
He noted that the two-in-one measles-rubella vaccine is meant for the effective protection of children against the dreaded contagious disease, which could lead to deafness, blindness, heart defect and brain damage.
“The overall goal of the meeting is to mobilise strong support and sustain commitment for the effective integration of the muscles-rubella vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Gaza Gwamna, the state’s Commissioner for Health, appreciated the stakeholders for attending the meeting despite their busy schedules.
The commissioner assured that the state would emerge first position in the measles-rubella vaccination exercise among other states in the country as it did during the COVID-19 vaccination.
He, however, announced the outbreak of measles in the Rukubi community of the Doma Local Government Area of the state. (NAN).
