Health stakeholders tasked on expanded vaccination campaign — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Stakeholders in the health sector have been called upon to intensify and extend the measles-rubella vaccination campaign to the grassroots. Head of Mission for the Advocacy Project at the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), Dr Mahmud Zubairu, cautioned in a statement yesterday, that low vaccination coverage could lead to increased deaths and disabilities, particularly among children.

The Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions recalled that in May 2024, measles outbreak killed 24 people in Adamawa State. Quoting media reports, the centre stressed that the epidemic affected two council areas, where nearly 200 suspected cases were identified.

It stated: “Measles cases have been reported nationwide, with many confirmed cases in Borno State, which has been battling insurgency for more than 10 years. There have been two large measles outbreaks in the North-West and North-East zones between 2012 and 2021.

“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, and it has been listed as an important cause of death among young children globally. It is usually associated with cough, fever and other symptoms but a characteristic rash stands it out.”

Zubairu, on his part, emphasised that if not properly managed, measles and rubella could lead to serious complications that might lead to death and disabilities.

The centre, however, noted that adequate vaccination could stem the spread of the diseases, and prevent deaths and disabilities. The statement observed that the measles vaccine has been available since 1963, and has demonstrated high efficacy, reducing cases by up to 99 per cent, compared to the pre-vaccine era. It also highlighted a significant decline in major epidemics worldwide, which, before the vaccine’s introduction, occurred every two to three years, and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths yearly.

“Similarly, Rubella is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is also associated with mild fever and rash in infected children. If a woman is infected with the rubella virus during early pregnancy, there is a 90 per cent chance of passing the virus to the unborn child, and this can result in miscarriage, fetal death, still birth or giving birth to a child with congenital malformations, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS),” it added.

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that the measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine in the past 50 years. He urged nations to invest in immunisation efforts to protect the most vulnerable populations.