Federal Gov’t Backs National Campaign For Measles-Rubella Vaccine Rollout

The federal government has pledged robust communication and advocacy support for the upcoming nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign scheduled for October 2025.

This assurance was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a courtesy visit to his office by the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Idris praised the team’s commitment to public health and child wellbeing. He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to champion public sensitisation efforts that will ensure the campaign’s success.

“You have come to the right place,” the Minister said. “The Ministry of Information and National Orientation exists to support and amplify initiatives like this. We will work with you and relevant agencies under our Ministry—including the National Orientation Agency and public media institutions—to ensure Nigerians are well-informed about the dangers of rubella and the need for vaccination.”

The Minister described the C-WINS presentation as both emotional and enlightening. “Today, I have learned a lot,” he said. “Many Nigerians, like myself, may be familiar with measles but are unaware of rubella and its devastating effects. That children can be born blind, deaf, or with heart defects due to maternal rubella infection is a tragedy we must work together to prevent.”

He also emphasised the Ministry’s readiness to co-develop strategic messaging and support public education efforts nationwide.

The Minister also encouraged the team to engage the National Assembly for broader legislative support. “We don’t want this to be a one-off meeting,” he said. “Let’s make this partnership continuous, impactful, and far-reaching.

“Prevention is better than cure—and this is one area where information truly saves lives.”

Earlier, the delegation from C-WINS, led by Project Lead, Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje briefed the Minister on the urgent need to raise public awareness ahead of the October campaign and also delivered a comprehensive presentation on the life-saving importance of the Measles-Rubella vaccine.

She highlighted the highly infectious nature of measles, which continues to cause severe illness, complications, and death, particularly among malnourished or immuno-compromised children, stating that Nigeria currently accounts for nearly 20% of global measles cases, with the North-East region bearing over 60% of the national burden.

On rubella, she explained that it’s an often-overlooked threat, especially to pregnant women.

Contracting rubella in the first trimester can result in Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), leading to babies born blind, deaf, or with severe heart abnormalities.

Dr. Mabogunje assured the Minister of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, noting that the Measles-Rubella vaccine has been used worldwide for over 50 years and it is credited with saving more than 94 million lives.

She also praised the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over its stringent regulatory review and endorsement of the vaccine for safe use in Nigeria.

Calling for unified action, she urged the Ministry to lead a national communication effort to combat misinformation and build public trust.

“To reach the target of 95% vaccination coverage, we need accurate, trusted, and consistent messaging delivered through the channels that everyday Nigerians rely on,” she said.

In response, Idris directed that the Ministry’s communication team should collaborate closely with C-WINS to co-create culturally sensitive campaign materials that will be disseminated through both public and private media channels nationwide.