Vaccinate Children To Avoid Health Risks

The Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ISPHCDA) has appealed to parents and caregivers to vaccinate children between nine months and 14 years for Measles and Rubella to avoid the development of congenital cataract.

Executive Secretary of the ISPHCDA, Ms Kosilisochukwu Ekenjoku, made the appeal during a one-day sensitisation meeting with stakeholders and groups on Friday.

Represented by the Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr Uchechukwu Odom, disclosed that the Measles and Rubella vaccine will help safeguard children from diseases.

Odom disclosed that the immunisation will run from February 4th to 15th, 2026, throughout schools, churches, mosques, and communities throughout the state.

He said Rubella-German Measles causes a hole in the heart and blindness in children, but quickly added that the vaccine prevents it.

He said that children between nine months and 14 years were the most vulnerable to Measles and Rubella infections, adding that they were at high risk of transmitting the disease.

Further, he said Measles and Rubella were highly contagious, adding that anyone can get infected, including pregnant women, but can be avoided with vaccination.

Odom said, “Both measles and Rubella are highly contagious, and anyone can get infected, including pregnant women. Children under five years of age, especially the unvaccinated, are most at risk. But the vaccine can prevent it.

“We appeal to journalists to help sensitise our people to please present their children to be vaccinated. It is totally safe and will help prevent blindness, congenital cataract, deafness, and a hole in the heart.

“Whether you are a Christian or Muslim, please kindly allow your child to be vaccinated to avoid preventable long-term health issues. We are targeting at least 2.6 million people in Imo State,” Odom said.

Representative of the International Association of Paediatricians, Dr Ezeogu said Measles and Rubella viruses can be stopped before they harm children via vaccination.

Ezeogu said, “Measles and Rubella, popularly called German-Measles, cause blindness, congenital cataract, deafness, and a hole in the heart in children. But it can be stopped via the vaccine. People should present their children to be vaccinated.”

Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ms Chiamaka Okoro and the IVAC representative, Adophus Okoro, in their separate lectures, explained that refusal to vaccinate the children may result in preventable colossal harms.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association, media houses, and other health stakeholders.