In just one week, Enugu State has vaccinated over 1.5 million children against measles and rubella.
That’s 68% of the 2.2 million target — an unprecedented feat, according to health officials.
But here’s the urgent warning from the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Ocheku:
“68% is commendable, but it is not enough. The virus looks for the gaps. We must find the remaining children.”
The campaign ends February 15, 2026.
Tackling Fear Head-On: ‘The Vaccine Is Safe’
For months, health workers on the ground heard the whispers.
“Is it true the vaccine sterilises our children?”
“Are rich countries using us as experiments?”
“People with big money want to reduce our population.”
On Wednesday, at the flag-off of the integrated Measles-Rubella campaign at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, Dr Ani-Ocheku addressed the fears directly:
“Science has gifted us a vaccine. One shot, double protection. It is safe. It is effective. This success belongs to our communities.”
Her message was clear:
Measles kills. Rubella disables unborn babies. The vaccine saves lives. There is no sterilization plot. There is no hidden agenda. Only protection.
‘A Child in Nsukka Is as Valuable as a Child in New York’
The declaration drew applause:
“We are gathered here today not just for a ceremony but for a declaration. We declare that the life of a child in Nsukka is as valuable as the life of a child in New York.”
“In Enugu, the health of our children is non-negotiable. We declare zero measles and zero rubella in Enugu State.”
Governor: ‘Our Future Is Our Children’
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by SSG Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the campaign as a “sacred obligation”.
“Our future is not in the roads we build or the industries we attract. Our future is sitting in classrooms, playing in courtyards and lying in cradles across Enugu State. Our future is our children.”
He warned that a sick child cannot become an innovator, engineer, or leader.
The administration has:
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Granted autonomy to Local Government Health Authorities
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Sanitised primary healthcare payroll systems
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Revitalised health training institutions
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Secured access to Basic Health Care Provision Funds
⏳ The Clock Is Ticking: February 15 Deadline
The two-week campaign ends February 15, 2026.
That leaves just days to reach the remaining 700,000 children aged 9 months to 14 years.
Health workers are moving house to house, school to school, church to mosque.
No child, they say, will be left behind.
No Serious Adverse Effects Recorded
Dr Ani-Ocheku confirmed that no serious adverse effects have been reported since the exercise began.
She explained the stakes:
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Measles: Incubates 10–14 days. Can cause blindness, deafness, brain swelling, death.
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Rubella: Incubates 14–21 days. Causes congenital disabilities in unborn children if pregnant women are infected.
“One shot. Double protection.”
Final Warning From Health Officials
Commissioner for Health Prof. George Ugwu and Oji River LGA Chairman Mr Greg Anyaegbudike issued a joint appeal:
Bring your children. The vaccine is safe. The deadline is real.
1.5 million vaccinated in 7 days.
But the virus is still searching for gaps.
If your child is between 9 months and 14 years and has not received the measles-rubella vaccine, do it now.
February 15 is coming.
