The wife of Ebonyi governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has appealed to families in the state to present their children and wards for free measles–rubella (MR) vaccine.

Mrs Nwifuru made the appeal on Monday during the launch of the MR campaign at Onuebonyi Primary School, Abakaliki.

She described the vaccine as safe, effective, and provided free of charge by the government.

She also said that children across all the LGAs of the state would be reached during the exercise.

The governor’s wife, therefore, urged mothers, fathers, grandparents, traditional rulers, women leaders, and religious leaders, to ensure that eligible children received all the recommended vaccination at the right time.

She warned that early prevention is always better.

She charged all the chairpersons to support and monitor the exercise in their various Local Government Areas.

“Health workers will be present in primary health centres, general hospitals, and temporary vaccination posts in markets, churches, schools, and community squares.

“This is to ensure that no mother has to travel far to vaccinate her child,” Mrs Nwifuru said.

She described measles and rubella as diseases that cause serious illness, blindness, and even death, adding that rubella affects pregnant women, leading to miscarriage or children born with lifelong challenges.

She commended health officials for their hard work as well as national and development partners for their tireless support and interventions to the state.

She further said that the campaign demonstrated State Government’s commitment to healthcare and the wellbeing of Ebonyi families.

The executive secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Philip Ovuba, said that the vaccine would be administered to children aged nine months to 14 years.

Mr Ovuba said that other interventions included human papilloma virus vaccine and routine immunisation.

He said, “After the campaign, we will do a catch-up to ensure that children, who missed out or not in the state after the campaign, are captured.

“We will also include the MR into routine immunisation, so that children within the age bracket can get free access to the vaccine anytime to protect them against the disease.

The commissioner for health, Moses Ekuma, also called on parents, caregivers and other stakeholders to ensure the vaccination was successful.

Mr Ekuma commended the governor and his wife for their initiatives that promote maternal, newborn, and child health.

In their separate remarks, the WHO representative, Danladi Ndahi, and his UNICEF counterpart, Frank Nwaodika, commended the state government’s commitment to healthcare.

They urged residents to present their children and wards for the vaccination. 

(NAN)