By Edward Oseghe
The Edo State Government, in collaboration with its health partners, has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the threat of measles and rubella in the state ahead of the full rollout of the Measles-Rubella (MR) immunisation campaign scheduled for January 2026.
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, delivered the assurance on Thursday in Benin City during the State Measles-Rubella Sensitization Meeting, convened to mobilise public support, deepen awareness, and strengthen stakeholder engagement for the upcoming campaign.
In her remarks, the Edo First Lady commended the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for their technical expertise and longstanding support toward improving child health and expanding immunisation coverage across the state.
“This meeting is about ensuring that every caregiver, every health worker, every traditional and religious leader, and every community member understands the importance of this campaign and becomes an active participant in its success,” she said.
She emphasized that the Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free, adding that widespread uptake would prevent avoidable deaths and long-term complications. She called on parents, caregivers, community gatekeepers, and health workers to work together to ensure no child is left behind.
Earlier, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshomhole, described the Measles-Rubella campaign as a decisive investment in the health and future of Edo children. He expressed appreciation to Governor Monday Okpebholo for prioritizing immunisation under the SHINE Agenda, which he said has strengthened primary healthcare across all 18 Local Government Areas, expanded routine immunisation access, and enhanced protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
He also commended the First Lady for her advocacy, describing her as “a true voice for mothers and children.”
Dr. Oshomhole warned that while measles and rubella may appear common, their consequences can be severe—particularly in pregnancy, where rubella infection can lead to miscarriage or lifelong disability. The Commissioner explained that the transition to the combined Measles-Rubella vaccine would offer broader protection for children across the state.
“I call on every stakeholder—health workers, traditional and religious leaders, the media, and partners—to help us take the message of vaccination to every ward and household,” he said.
“When we protect our children, we secure our tomorrow. When we immunize Edo, we make Edo shine,” he added.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulson Osoikhai, reiterated the dangers of both diseases, noting that measles can cause pneumonia, blindness, brain damage, and death, while rubella poses grave risks to pregnant women and unborn children.
He stressed that vaccination remains the safest and most effective prevention method, reaffirming that the MR vaccine will be available free of charge at all designated facilities and outreach points.
“Every child within the target age must be reached—no child should be left behind,” he said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Prof. Ayeboh Sadoh, a professor of paediatric infectious diseases with expertise in vaccine-preventable illnesses, described measles and rubella as “highly contagious infections with catastrophic yet preventable consequences.”
She explained that the Southern States MR Campaign will target males and females aged 9 months to 14 years across Edo State, urging stakeholders to intensify sensitization efforts, counter misinformation, and promote trust in the vaccine.
“The twin evils of measles and rubella remain within our borders, but their devastating effects are preventable.
“Let us change the narrative by protecting our children. Come January 2026, we will switch to the MR vaccine and work towards eliminating these diseases from Edo State and Nigeria at large,” she stated.
