The Nasarawa State Government has pledged its support for the Federal Government’s proposed measles-rubella vaccination to be introduced in October 2025.
The measles-rubella vaccination is to be administered to children between nine-15 months through routine immunisation to eliminate measles and rubella.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule pledged the support in a stakeholders meeting ahead of the introduction of the vaccine on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.
The stakeholder’s meeting was organised by the Nasarawa State Primary HealthCare Development Agency in collaboration with the office of Haj. Silifat Sule, Wife of the governor and Centre for Wellbeing and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS).
The governor represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, emphasised that his administration accords topmost priority to the health and wellbeing of the residents.
Sule explained that the vaccination would not only protect children but would also strengthen the economy and the healthcare system of the state.
Sule, therefore, urged the Chairmen of 13 Local Government Areas and their wives, caregivers, and 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 lifesaving vaccine,” Sule stated.
In his remark, Dr Usman Iskilu, Executive Secretary of the agency, appreciated Gov. 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 immunization schedule,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Gaza Gwamna, Commissioner for Health expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for attending the meeting despite their busy schedules.
The commissioner assured that the state would emerge the first position in the measles-rubella vaccination exercise among other states in the country as it did during the COVID-19 vaccination.
The commissioner also announced that there was an outbreak of measles in the Rukubi community of the Doma Local Government Area of the state.
“I did not know that we could still have measles outbreak despite our efforts to improve immunization.
“So, I am happy that the measles-rubella vaccine will now be part of our routine immunization, and it is coming at the right time,” Gwamna added. (NAN).
