Measles-Rubella Vaccine Is Safe – Mrs. Priscilla Otti says as she kickstarts campaign to save children | READ MORE

Measles-Rubella Vaccine Is Safe – Mrs. Priscilla Otti says as she kickstarts campaign to save children | READ MORE

The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has frowned at the number of infant deaths recorded, owing to vaccine-preventable diseases like measles-rubella.

Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders, including the wives of mayors and community leaders, on the measles-rubella vaccination campaign at the banquet hall, government house, Umuahia on Friday, march 28, 2025, Mrs. Otti, pointed that Measles and rubella are not just mild childhood illnesses, rather “they are dangerous diseases that can lead to complications such as blindness, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.”

She regretted that many, out of misinformation, myths and fear refuse to get their children vaccinated as at when due, which has resulted to a hike in the number of recorded case of measles in Nigeria according to World Health Organization , WHO record.

The wife of the governor however vowed that henceforth, no Abia child will be left unprotected as the campaigns for proper vaccination would be taken even to the grass roots.

 “…..these diseases can be prevented with a simple vaccine. We must take this message to the grassroots. We must ensure that no child in Abia State is left unprotected.

“The government of Abia State is committed to ensuring that every child is vaccinated. The government shall, through the Ministry of Health and its partners, mobilize health workers and resources to bring this life-saving vaccine to every corner of the state. As part of our commitment, the government is already retrofitting about 200 health centers across Abia State to serve as primary vaccination sites once this campaign is launched. These centers are being equipped to provide not just vaccinations but also broader healthcare support to mothers and children. This means that when parents take their children for immunization, they will also have access to other essential healthcare services. We are not just talking about change—we are making it happen” Mrs. Otti stated.

She appreciated health workers for their role in ensuring that children get vaccinated and charged other stakeholders to join in vigorously campaigning for vaccination to be prioritized.

READ HER EXCELLENCY’S FULL SPEECH BELOW

 

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HER EXCELLENCY, MRS. PRISCILLA CHIDINMA OTTI DURING A MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE WIVES OF MAYORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, ON THE MEASLES-RUBELLA VACCINATION CAMPAIGN AT THE BANQUET HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UMUAHIA ON FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025.

 

Protocol,

 

1. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this crucial meeting on the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign. As mothers, community leaders, and role models, we have a shared responsibility to protect the health of our children. Too many lives have been lost to vaccine-preventable diseases, and we cannot allow misinformation to stand in the way of a healthier future for our children.

 

 

2. The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and saves lives. Yet, we continue to face resistance due to myths, fear, and misinformation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2023, approximately 83% of children globally received their first dose of a measles-containing vaccine by their second birthday, and 74% received two doses. However, in Nigeria, the coverage rates are significantly lower, with only about 60% of children receiving the first dose and just 38% receiving the second dose. This suboptimal coverage has led to frequent outbreaks; for instance, in the first half of 2023 alone, Nigeria reported 297 measles outbreaks, resulting in approximately 16,000 suspected cases and at least 70 deaths. These statistics underscore the urgent need for increased vaccination coverage and accurate information dissemination. That is why we are gathered here today—to equip you, the stakeholders, including the wives of mayors and community leaders, with the right information to take back to your communities. Your voices carry influence, and we need your leadership to correct the falsehoods that are preventing families from vaccinating their children.

 

 

3. I want to sincerely appreciate Community Wellness Initiative Nigeria (C-WIN) and our dedicated health professionals for their tireless efforts in making this campaign possible. Your work is invaluable, and I assure you that the government of Abia State fully supports this mission to immunize every eligible child against measles and rubella.

 

 

4. Measles and rubella are not just mild childhood illnesses. They are dangerous diseases that can lead to complications such as blindness, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. But here is the good news—these diseases can be prevented with a simple vaccine. We must take this message to the grassroots. We must ensure that no child in Abia State is left unprotected.

 

 

5. However, misinformation has become a major obstacle. Some people are spreading false claims that the vaccine causes infertility, that it is part of a sinister agenda, or that children do not need it. These are lies. The truth is that millions of children around the world have been safely vaccinated, and it is because of vaccination that measles and rubella have been drastically reduced in many countries.

 

 

6. This is where you come in. The essence of this meeting today is to arm you with the relevant information that will enable a vigorous campaign for the acceptance of this vaccine in your local communities. As key stakeholders—wives of mayors, community leaders, religious figures, and caregivers—you have direct access to women in your communities who are making decisions about their children’s health. We need you to be the bridge between them and the truth. Speak to them in churches, in market squares, at town hall meetings, and even in your daily interactions. Let them know that vaccinating their children is an act of love and responsibility.

 

 

7. Let me make this clear: The government of Abia State is committed to ensuring that every child is vaccinated. The government shall, through the Ministry of Health and its partners, mobilize health workers and resources to bring this life-saving vaccine to every corner of the state. As part of our commitment, the government is already retrofitting about 200 health centers across Abia State to serve as primary vaccination sites once this campaign is launched. These centers are being equipped to provide not just vaccinations but also broader healthcare support to mothers and children. This means that when parents take their children for immunization, they will also have access to other essential healthcare services. We are not just talking about change—we are making it happen. But without your active participation, our efforts will not reach as many families as we need to.

 

 

8. As wives of mayors, I am giving you these responsibilities, and it is my expectation that you will carry them out diligently:

 

I urge you to mobilize mothers, caregivers, and parents for the flag-off ceremony.

 

Kindly advocate for support from your husbands, the mayors, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and faith-based organizations in your locality to ensure proper sensitization activities and smooth implementation of this project in your LGAs.

 

You need to participate actively in the monitoring and supervision of the vaccination campaign at the LGA level.

 

The success of this campaign is in your hands; kindly intensify awareness creation for the Measles-Rubella vaccine introduction and work with me to win first place in the national competition through aggressive sensitization to achieve at least 95% vaccine coverage.

 

Lead the campaign activities by flagging them off before full implementation in your respective LGAs.

 

 

9. To our healthcare workers, we recognize your dedication and sacrifice. You are on the frontlines of this battle against preventable diseases, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.

 

 

10. Before I end, I once again urge you all to join us as we make a difference. Let this meeting mark the beginning of a powerful movement across Abia State, a movement led by strong, informed women and community leaders who are committed to protecting our children.

 

 

11. Thank you for your presence, your support, and your dedication. May God bless our children, our communities, and our dear state, Abia.