The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) says the state will commence an integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign from February 4 to 14, 2026.
Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Mrs Chisom Uchem, disclosed this at a two-day residential training for local government health educators under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) project.
The project which is sponsored by Mastercard Foundation and African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, is being implemented by the Nigerian Red Cross Society. and Sydani Group.
Uchem who was represented by Dr Placid Uliagbafusi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, said Nigeria contributes significantly to the global burden of measles and rubella.
She cited a report from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
According to her, between 2019 and 2024, Nigeria recorded 94,305 confirmed measles cases and 719 deaths, making measles one of the leading causes of death among children under five.
She described measles as a contagious viral disease causing fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis, and runny nos, which can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
“Nigeria and Anambra aspire to be free of vaccine-preventable diseases.
“We need to prioritise mass vaccination campaigns to bridge immunity gaps and reduce outbreaks.
“Anambra’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign is scheduled for the second phase of Nigeria’s national vaccination programme, scheduled for February 2026 and targeting children between nine months and 14 years.
“The goal is to reduce measles-rubella incidents to five cases per one million people by 2026 and one case per one million by 2030, through increased population immunity,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Uju Onwuegbuzina, the State Health Educator, stressed the need for community mobilisation ahead of the vaccination campaign.
She urged health workers to engage parents, religious and community leaders and stakeholders to improve vaccine acceptance.
“This training is to equip health workers to mobilise communities ahead of the vaccination in February 2026.
“You need to go into the communities, engage stakeholders to secure commitment and funding, raise awareness and correct misconceptions about vaccines to improve health outcomes,”she said
In his remarks, Mr Kingsley Okoye, State Branch Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, said the society was collaborating with Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency to strengthen routine immunisation across the state.
“This programme aims to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake. We are committed to ensuring the SLL project to achieve its goals in Anambra,”Okoye added.
