By Eze Victor, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has declared zero tolerance for missed children as it prepares to roll out Phase Two of the Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, scheduled for February 4 to 14, 2026.
The declaration was made during a one-day media sensitisation meeting organised by the Ebonyi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ESPHCDA) in Abakaliki.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Phillip Emeka Ovuoba, said the campaign is designed to vaccinate all eligible children aged nine months to 14 years across the state, stressing that the government’s focus is total coverage rather than numerical targets.
According to him, the media was deliberately engaged because of its critical role in information dissemination, public enlightenment and community mobilisation, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The media is the wisdom of society and the major source of information. We are relying on you to help us carry this message to every corner of Ebonyi State so that no eligible child is missed during this campaign,” Ovuoba said.
He disclosed that Ebonyi is among the states participating in Phase Two of the nationwide MR vaccination exercise, noting that the success of the campaign would be measured solely by how many eligible children are reached.
“Our target is all eligible children. Whether it is 50, 500 or five million, once every eligible child is vaccinated, then we have succeeded,” he added.
Addressing concerns about vaccine hesitancy and alleged rejection by religious or educational institutions, Ovuoba dismissed such claims, stating that there is no organised opposition to the vaccination exercise in the state.
“None of the churches and none of the schools are rejecting the vaccine. The era of vaccine rejection is over. People in Ebonyi State now understand that vaccination is a right, not a privilege,” he said.
He explained that while some institutions may initially be cautious about allowing vaccination teams into their premises, such caution should not be mistaken for rejection, emphasising that health workers are only trying to reach children wherever they are found.
Ovuoba assured parents and caregivers that the Measles–Rubella vaccine is free, safe and effective, noting that the campaign is being funded by the Ebonyi State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners.
“This vaccine is free of charge and free of complications. Parents should bring out their children for vaccination so that we can prevent measles, rubella and the deformities associated with them,” he said.
Also speaking, UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) and Health Consultant, Mr. Frank Nwodika, described measles as a highly contagious and potentially deadly viral disease, while rubella, though often mild, poses serious risks to pregnant women and unborn children.
He explained that rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), which causes severe birth defects such as blindness, deafness, heart defects and brain damage.
Nwodika noted that the Measles–Rubella Vaccine (MRV) is a safe, live-attenuated vaccine that stimulates the body’s immune system without causing the disease.
“The vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus that cannot cause illness but helps the body produce antibodies. That is why it is safe and effective,” he explained.
He added that comprehensive arrangements have been made to manage Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), with trained health workers, general hospitals and referral centres placed on alert across the state.
According to him, the campaign will be conducted through fixed posts at health facilities and temporary vaccination posts within communities, rather than house-to-house vaccination, to ensure proper monitoring and accountability.
He urged parents, religious leaders, community leaders and the media to support the exercise by encouraging full participation, stressing that widespread immunisation remains the most effective way to break the chain of disease transmission.
The Phase Two Measles–Rubella vaccination campaign forms part of Nigeria’s largest immunisation drive, targeting over 102 million children nationwide, with Ebonyi State expected to vaccinate about 1.6 million children during the exercise.