Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign Begins In Imo

Imo State Government on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, flagged off the Measles–Rubella Vaccination Campaign at the Eze Imo Palace, Owerri, marking a major milestone in the state’s commitment to safeguarding child health and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady of Imo State, Her Excellency, Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to protect children against measles and rubella, urging parents and guardians to embrace the vaccination exercise scheduled to run from February 4 to 16, 2026, across all 27 local government areas. The campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Imo State, Dr. Chioma Vivian Egu, represented by Dr. Chidimma Okoro, assured stakeholders of the continued support of the Ministry of Health in ensuring the successful implementation of the vaccination campaign and strengthening routine immunization services across the state.

The Executive Secretary of Imo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Kosilisochukwu Ekenjoku, explained that the campaign coincides with the introduction of the combined Measles–Rubella vaccine into Nigeria’s routine immunization schedule, replacing the measles-only vaccine. She noted that the vaccines are safe, effective, and free, and that trained health workers have been deployed to reach every eligible child, including those in hard-to-reach communities.

Ms. Ekenjoku commended Governor Hope Uzodimma, the First Lady, the State Ministry of Health, NPHCDA, WHO, UNICEF, and other development partners for their unwavering support, while calling on parents, community leaders, schools, and faith-based organizations to support the campaign to ensure no child is left behind.

The campaign aims to significantly reduce childhood illness and deaths while securing a healthier future for children in Imo State.