According to LEADERSHIP NEWS, health partners in Nigeria have been implored to make an all-out effort and roll out measles-rubella vaccine to the grassroots level because as of today, coverage remains low, posing a health risk, particularly to children.
The Head of Mission for Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) Advocacy Project, Dr. Mahmud Zubairu, warned that poor immunization would lead to high mortality and long-term disabilities.
Using past occurrences, C-WINS also cited that last month in May 2024 saw an epidemic in Adamawa State with 24 deaths and nearly 200 suspected cases from two local government councils. Similarly, this was felt nationwide with numerous confirmed cases occurring during the days of extensive insurgency in Borno State.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral illness and one of the globe’s most prolific killers of young children. It is also accompanied by cough, fever, and a characteristic rash,” the statement continued.
Dr. Zubairu further stated that measles and rubella, if not prevented, can cause severe complications like lifelong disability and death. But mass vaccination can prevent the spread of the diseases and save lives.
Immunization Coverage Must Increase, Experts Say
C-WINS stated that thanks to the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963, cases fell by up to 99 percent below levels prior to widespread use, with epidemics occurring every two to three years and causing an estimated 2.6 million deaths per year.
Rubella is also a very infectious viral infection with high risk to pregnant women. If the infection is acquired in early pregnancy, there is a 90 percent chance of passing on the virus to the baby and causing miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), leading to major birth defects.
“Like measles, immunization is the best way to keep rubella at bay and its devastation behind. Yet, although the measles vaccine has been part of Nigeria’s immunization calendar since 1979, rubella vaccine has yet to find a place in routine immunization in government health facilities,” the release further stated.
Scientific advancement brought the combined vaccines, which minimized the number of injections that had to be administered to children without compromising effective immunization. Experts also underscored the point that very high vaccine coverage is required in a way as to bring about herd immunity—immunity even among unimmunized children.
Country-Wide Call for Awareness Campaign
Despite the existence of vaccines, measles-rubella vaccine coverage is still extremely low in Nigeria, once again underscore the need for rigorous public awareness campaigns.
“The low levels of immunization highlight the need for national-level communication programs that make the public aware of the advantages of immunization,” C-WINS emphasized.
The center called for a stronger national immunization campaign aimed at increasing routine immunization coverage, effective introduction of the measles-rubella vaccine, and increasing vaccination rates to lead to an end to these killer diseases.
By prioritizing public awareness, vaccine safety, and strategic communications more, Nigeria could reach the 95 percent vaccination level necessary to eliminate measles and rubella, the statement continued.
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