Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has confirmed that no fewer than 1.5 million children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella within one week of the ongoing statewide immunisation campaign.
The disclosure was made at the flag-off of the integrated Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign in Enugu.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeanyi Ani-Ocheku, said the exercise was aimed at safeguarding the future of children in the state.
“We are gathered here today not just for a ceremony, but for a declaration,” she said.
“We declare that the life of a child in Nsukka is as valuable as the life of a child in New York.
“In Enugu, the health of our children is non-negotiable. We declare zero measles and zero rubella in Enugu State.”
Dr Ani-Ocheku revealed that within seven days of the campaign, about 1.5 million children had been vaccinated, representing approximately 68 per cent of the target population of 2.2 million children.
She explained that health workers embarked on aggressive community mobilisation, moving from house to house, school to school, as well as visiting churches and mosques, to ensure that no child was left out of the exercise.
According to her, no serious adverse effects have been recorded since the commencement of the campaign.
On vaccine safety, she noted: “Science has gifted us a vaccine — one shot, double protection. The vaccine is safe and effective, and this success belongs to our communities.”
Dr Ani-Ocheku also commended Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s reforms and sustained investments in the health sector.
