The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has confirmed a fresh outbreak of measles in Rukubi community, located in Doma Local Government Area, just months before the planned introduction of the rubella and measles vaccine into the state’s routine immunisation programme scheduled for October.
In light of the recent outbreak, the Ministry reiterated its determination to combat the spread of measles and rubella, particularly among unborn children and those between zero and 15 months of age. The State Government has now stepped up its public health campaign by engaging key stakeholders in a sensitisation meeting to discuss the rollout and integration of the vaccine into the immunisation schedule.
At a crucial stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday in Lafia, which brought together all 13 local government council chairmen and their wives, Governor Abdullahi Sule underscored the urgent need to address the spread of measles and rubella. The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, warned of the severe consequences associated with the diseases.
Sule stated that measles and rubella are “highly contagious illnesses that can lead to severe complications and death if not properly managed.” He further noted the link between poor management of measles infections and blindness in children.
“In my practice as a doctor and dealing with children who came down with rubella, a lot of them end up losing their sight. The disease is real,” he said.
“This has informed the decision of the federal government to introduce this vaccine not just as a public health initiative but as a collective commitment to the well-being of every child in Nasarawa State and our country at large,” the governor added.
He assured that the government would adopt a proactive and decisive approach in integrating the rubella vaccine into the existing immunisation programme to ensure comprehensive coverage and disease control.
Providing further details, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, officially confirmed the outbreak of measles in parts of Doma LGA. He said that medical teams have already been deployed to the affected areas to stem the spread of the virus.
Dr. Gwamna also emphasised the importance of sensitisation efforts ahead of the October rollout. “The introduction of the vaccine will commence in October this year, but we can’t just go and start giving vaccines, especially because of the religious and cultural differences,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr. Usman Iskilu, commended Governor Sule for prioritising the health and well-being of children in the state. He expressed gratitude for the governor’s support of the upcoming vaccination campaign.
Dr. Iskilu explained that the measles-rubella vaccine is a dual-purpose immunisation tool designed to protect children from a range of life-altering complications.
“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 defects and brain damage,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of building a united front across all levels of society to ensure the campaign’s success.
“The overall goal is to mobilise strong support and sustain commitment from government officials and community leaders for the effective integration of the measles-rubella vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule,” he added.
