From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The Anambra state Primary Health Care Development Agency have engaged field health workers and journalists on sensitization of measles and Rubella diseases, its implications, dangers and vaccines administration.
News Echo reports that Measles is highly contagious and deadly disease caused by measles virus while Rubella also known as German measles, is a contagious viral infection usually causing mild symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen glands, but it’s dangerous for pregnant women, potentially causing severe birth defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome or CRS) in their babies, including deafness, cataracts, and heart issues, and is preventable by the MMR vaccine
Speaking during the stakeholders Engagement meeting with the 21 LGA Mayors for upcoming Measles and Rubella Vaccine Introduction at the Amaku Teaching Hospital Awka, on 15th Jan, 2026, the Executive ASPHCDA, Pharm Mrs Chisom Uchem said the stakeholders and media engagement in Anambra is to sensitize them about the phase 2 measles vaccine immunization which is set to commence on 5th February, 2026.
The PHCD Boss however called on the stakeholders and media as voice of voiceless, to spread the news about Measles and Rubella diseases and the need to allow their children take the vaccine.
She futher disclosed that the vaccine is expected to commence in 5th Feb which targets to children between the ages of 9months to fourteen years of age and its expected to last for ten days and two other days for mop up.
Pharm Obuneme representing state cordinator Mr Obiora agbakwulu said the health agency are working effectively to ensure smooth delivery of services to Ndi Anambra. He promised that the neccessary supply will continue to given to the primary health care agency.
UNICEF Social Behavourial Change /Health Consultant Anambra, Mr Victor James who spoke on behalf of UNICEF expressed satifsction about the programme while noting that the wellbeing of our children is paramount in the health service delivery. “The health of everyone is all our business and that is why we are here to engage. Today we are here to talk about the measles and the rubella which is preventative and also treatable. We do not want to hear or see any child in Anambra with measles and rubella.
He emphased that the two diseases are Deadly with life threatening impacts while encouraging the parents and wards to do all they can within their powers to control the children.
Speaking on the need for children immunization in Anambra state, implications and dangers of Measles and Rubella, a Health Champion, Dr Uju Chinenye Mary queen disclosed that “immunization are vaccines that stimulate the body to build immunity without casuing illness. Immunization is one of the most effective public health intervention that help to protect individuals and communities from preventable diseases”.
She noted that the benefits include protect individuals and communities, prevents epidemic and pandemics, saves millions of lives among others.
She further explained that mis information myth and fears, cultural/religious beliefs, lack of access to healthcare services , conflicts and insecurity and weak health systems as causes of low immunization which should be over looked and avoided because the benefited are numerous.
Identifying the dangers, she noted that increased risk of disease outbreaks and its complications , higher mortality rates, long term disabilities, economic consequences and threat to herd immunity as core challenges.
She emphasised that fever (common), Anaphylatic reactions ( very rare), Rashes (rare), High fever, cough, red watery eyes, runny nose, reddish spots in the mouth, vomiting, sore throat, muscle pain headache are some of the common symptoms.
Also in her remark, the State Health Educator, Anambra Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina said measles and rubella is a vaccine preventable diseases. She emphasied that Anambra has done well in the area of health service delivery and primary healthcare. She however called on Ndi Anambra to embrace the MR vaccines so as to have a disease free state.
