Health
We‘ve Achieved 99% Coverage In Measle-rubella Vaccination Campaign — CRSPHCDA
By Abujah Racheal
The Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) says it has achieved 99 per cent coverage in its ongoing Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.
Dr Vivien Mesembe-Otu, Director-General, CRSPHCDA, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
Mesembe-Otu said that as of Day Nine of the campaign, no fewer that 1,866,070 children had been vaccinated out of a target 2,015,493, leaving a balance of 149,423 children yet to be reached.
She explained that the campaign recorded a 99 per cent daily settlement reach, with 8,696 out of 8,791 planned settlements covered across the state’s 18 local government areas (LGAs).
According to her, the progress recorded so far was the result of deliberate and inclusive collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders.
“The high coverage reflects the commitment of our health workers, partners, community leaders and parents who have supported the campaign.”
She explained that the state recorded a high level of acceptance of the measles–rubella vaccination campaign.
She said the campaign formed part of Nigeria’s national drive to eliminate measles-rubella in line with global public health targets, adding that it was being implemented across the 18 LGAs of the state, with Calabar Municipality serving as one of the key focal areas.
According to her, the exercise targets thousands of eligible children aged nine months to 14 years. High turnout has been recorded at schools, primary healthcare facilities and designated community outreach points.
“This reflects the growing public confidence in childhood immunisation and the effectiveness of local mobilisation strategies.”
She noted that traditional and religious leaders, as well as community gatekeepers, played important roles in driving awareness and acceptance at the grassroots.
She said the Ministry of Education facilitated school-based sensitisation and parental consent processes, while the Ministry of Women Affairs led community mobilisation targeting mothers and caregivers.
“The involvement of these institutions ensured that accurate information reached households early enough to address concerns and misconceptions,” she said.
Meanwhile, frontline health workers have said that trust-building and local engagement were central to the campaign’s success.
A community health worker in Calabar Municipality, Mrs Mary Edet, said that health workers in Edim Otop Ward worked closely with established community structures to ensure no eligible child was left out.
“So far, we have not had any reports of side effects among the children,” she said.
Edet said that parents were adequately informed about what to expect and reassured about the vaccine.
She said mobilisation efforts relied on trusted local channels, including town announcers and trained mobilisers who moved through neighbourhoods to inform parents about vaccination schedules.
“We do not pressure anyone. We simply explain the importance of the vaccine, talk about possible side effects and let parents understand the risks of measles outbreaks if children are not vaccinated,” she added.
Similar experiences were reported in schools participating in the campaign.
At Anointed Children International School in Calabar, Head Teacher Mrs Theresa Kenneth said there was broad acceptance of the vaccination among pupils, with parental consent obtained in almost all cases.
“Yes, we got consent from the parents. There was just one case where a mother said her child should not be vaccinated but the others accepted it,” she said.
Kenneth attributed the high acceptance rate to sustained public awareness and clear communication between health authorities and schools.
“The health centre brought an official letter to the school, which helped parents understand the importance of the exercise,” she said.
She urged mothers and caregivers to continue embracing routine immunisation and vaccination campaigns, describing vaccination as one of the most effective preventive health measures for children.
Development partners monitoring the exercise also commended the campaign.
Dr Hilary Ozoh, Social Behaviour Specialist, UNICEF, Field Office, commended the high level of community participation and demand observed during an assessment visit.
“People were coming out and actively seeking the service. In some cases, children even came on their own. There was virtually no rejection,” he said.
Ozoh noted that instances of non-compliance were minimal and mostly linked to convenience rather than resistance or misinformation.
On the supply side, he commended the readiness of health workers, availability of vaccines and effectiveness of the cold chain system, describing the performance of both the health system and communities as exemplary.
NAN reports that the Cross River Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining partnerships with development partners and stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery.
NAN also reports that during the official flag-off of the MR campaign in Calabar, the government emphasised collaboration as a key pillar for building a resilient and responsive health system.
It highlighted milestones achieved in recent years, including the first-ever procurement of family planning commodities for community use, and underscored the importance of community participation in improving vaccine uptake.
Cross River is among the Phase 2b implementing states for the newly introduced measles–rubella vaccine. The campaign targets children aged nine months to 14 years and aims to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) while strengthening herd immunity.
Mrs Goodness Hadley, the National Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Technical Support to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) from the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC) urged parents and caregivers to present eligible children for vaccination before the close of the exercise.
Hadley emphasised that the campaign was free, safe, government-funded and designed to ensure that no child is left behind. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker