The Benue State Primary Health Care Board (BSPHCB) in collaboration with implementing partners is set to commence a Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign in October this year. The campaign is necessitated by an outbreak of a new variant of measles (Measles-Rubella) in the country, with Anambra State recording the highest number of cases.
The immunization exercise which is targeted at reaching at least 2.7 million people in the state is so far the biggest immunization exercise in the state.
Speaking at a one-day Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign media orientation meeting held on Wednesday at Greg & Co. ICT Limited’s Conference Hall in Makurdi, the World Health Organization representative, Mr. Aaron Kwarbai, explained that a Measles-Rubella outbreak (also known as German Measles) was discovered in Benue State four weeks ago. He added, “At least 100,000 babies are born with various cases of Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) each year in the country due to ignorance. Hence, the call for the media to be involved in the campaign through awareness creation to educate and shape the public’s perspective of the vaccine with firsthand information to avoid misinformation or disinformation.”
The vaccination campaign will cover the 36 states, including the FCT, but in different phases. Benue State falls under Phase One, Stream Two, which will commence from October 18th to 27th, 2025. To bridge the gap, children from 9 months to 14 years will be vaccinated.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative, Mr. Victor Olaniyi, and the state educator, Mr. Emmanuel Beeka, in their presentation on “the role of the media in the Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign,” charged media practitioners to take ownership of the campaign through quick dissemination of information to many, using a feedback mechanism that is, reporting challenges and successes of the program in real-time.
Earlier in her remarks, the Executive Secretary of BSPHCB, Chief Mrs. Grace Ashi Wende, represented by State Immunization Officer Mr. Adega Innocent, appreciated media practitioners for making it possible to attend the meeting despite their tight schedules. She said the meeting was an achievement for the forthcoming campaign and encouraged participants to work towards moving the state forward in terms of immunization.
Representatives of John Snow Research and Training Institute (JSI), Mr. Michael Luka; STA International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Mrs. Oladejo Oyeladun Victoria; and State Coordinator of Benue State National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Ishula Abdulrasaq, all urged participants to work together effectively to disseminate information to ensure the campaign’s success and protect vulnerable populations (pregnant women and children).
