NPHDA to vaccinates over 2 million children against Measles, Rubella

….,..As Alia launches campaign in Benue 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday, launched Integrated Immunization Campaign against Measles Rubella, Human papilloma Virus, Polio and other diseases in the state.

Flagging off the campaign at the Family Support Clinic in Makurdi, Governor Alia said introduction of the vaccine is part of the commitment of his administration to eliminate preventable diseases for a healthier future for the Benue Child.

He said Measles and Rubella are highly contagious diseases caused by Measles virus same with Measles Rubbela although in mild form but more  dangerous.

Alia who was represented by his Deputy Governor Sam Ode, announced that the  state government has released  it mandatory counterpart funds for effective round of the National Measles-Rubella campaign.

The Governor noted further that through the vaccination exercise, the state government aims to protect children especially the target of two point four million children from nine months to fourteen years. 

 He called on all to embrace the programme with full commitment to make Benue a model of health and wellness in Nigeria.

On her part, representative of the National Primary Healthcare  Development Agency, Joyce Eke said the integrated approach is geared towards reaching every eligible child to ensure no child is left behind.

She  urged parents to bring their children to be vaccinated protect against measles and rubella diseases.

She also on Health partners and everyone to support the vaccination exercise  to ensure every eligible child in Benue is vaccinated.

Earlier, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche described  the exercise as a shared purpose to saving the lives of every Benue child which has been included  in routine immunization in ensuring that no child suffers or die from preventable diseases.

Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Board, Grace Ashi-wende announced readiness of the Board to vaccinate the target of 2.5 million children, calling on all to support the campaign.

The Integrated Immunization Campaign is expected to vaccinate over one million children  across the 36 states including FCT.

Benue state falls within phase one stream two of the immunization exercise and is expected to take place within ten days plus additional two days mop up from Saturday 18th to 29th October, 2025 across the twenty local government areas of state.

Earlier, the World Health Organisation WHO said Measles Rubella can be transmitted from pregnant mother to the unborn child through the placenta leading to congenital Rubbela syndrome.

According to the World Health organization, the threshold of Measles Rubbela in Nigeria currently is 44.6% per one million population, placing  Nigeria second highest in Africa with the burden of Measles after Republic of Congo.

A representative of WHO  disclosed during Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) for Benue journalists 

According to the World Health Organization, between January and September 2025, 147 cases of Measles were recorded with 38 confirmed.

Launch of the Integrated Campaign against Measles Rubbela according to partners is to meet the global strategy to close the immunity gap and reduce Measles to one case per one million by year 2030.