Measles-Rubella: Edo Gov’t Inaugurates Team To Raise Awareness On Immunisation

Edo State Government, through the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) on Tuesday, inaugurated members of the Technical Working Group for the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign.

The official inauguration was carried out by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Anani Okpebholo.

According to Mrs. Okpebholo, adopting the Measles Rubella Vaccine, the state is not just protecting the children but also safeguarding healthier beginnings for the generations to come.

The first lady thanked the technical partners, stakeholders, and members of the newly inaugurated technical working group, urging them to focus on awareness campaigns on Measles Rubella and encourage the vaccine acceptance to protect Edo children from the disease.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole described technical working group as the commitment of Governor Monday Okphebholo, development partners and every stakeholder to eliminate vaccine preventable diseases and reduce child mortality to the barest minimum.

For his part, the Executive Secretary of EDSPHCDA, Dr Coulson Osoikhia assured that “vaccination remains one of the most cause effective public health interventions” for the disease.

“The Measles Rubella Vaccine offers a dual protection against measles and rubella two diseases that pose serious threat to child health,” he said.

Osoikhia noted that the Edo State Government was doing everything in collaboration with development partners to improve the health of Edo people.

One of the facilitators at the event, Dr Efeomon Eseigbe, a director at EDSPHCDA, gave an overview of measles rubella and the importance of raising awareness about the vaccine ahead of its commencement in 2026.

A representative of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Muktar Abdullahi assured the public of the safety of the vaccine.