Ukwuani First Lady Flags Off Advocacy, Sensitization Campaign On Measles Rubella Vaccine Rollout

Earlier today, the First Lady of Ukwuani Local Government Council, Barr. Mrs. Ajede Betty Chineye, flagged off the advocacy and sensitization campaign on the Measles and Rubella Vaccine rollout in Ukwuani LGA.

In her address, the Ukwuani First Lady stated that the Measles and Rubella Vaccine campaign is aimed at protecting Ukwuani children and communities from these two deadly diseases.

Mrs. Ajede, while calling on communities, churches, mosques, groups, and associations to join in the sensitization campaign ahead of January 2026 when the immunization will commence, noted that measles poses a serious threat to the collective existence of the people.

She therefore called on community leaders, religious leaders, and heads of groups and associations to ensure that their communities, churches, mosques, schools, groups, and associations are well sensitized to accept the vaccine for the benefit of their children and the community at large.

Speaking further, she described the vaccine as “a life-saving vaccine,” while urging stakeholders to ensure that every child in Ukwuani has access to it and is vaccinated.

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Meanwhile, Mrs. Ajede appreciated the Executive Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government, Hon. (Barr.) C.S Possible Ajede, for his administration’s continued support for the health sector in theLGA and for ensuring that the Ukwuani people enjoy improved and adequate primary healthcare services. She also thanked the various categories of partners and donors for providing the vaccines free of charge for Nigerian children, Deltans, and particularly for children in Ukwuani LGA.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the performing and Capacity Executive Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government, Hon. (Barr.) C.S Possible Ajede, called on the various strata of leadership in the nine (9) clans across the LGA to sensitize their respective communities on the need to ensure that children within the LGA are vaccinated against measles and rubella, which he described as airborne diseases that could ruin the lives of children if not immunized against.

He further called on parents to allow their children to take the vaccine, as according to him, the measles and rubella vaccine is safe and effective.

In pursuance of his DO MORE AGENDA Environmental Conservation Initiative, Barr. Ajede urged the Ukwuani people to embrace good hygiene practices in their daily lives and to ensure that their surroundings, business places, and public areas are kept clean at all times.

While presenting an overview on measles and rubella, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Authority (PHCA) in Ukwuani LGA, Dr. Oshike Azuka Hillary, described measles as a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the measles virus. According to him, measles can easily spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks.

Dr. Oshike explained that rubella, on the other hand, is a milder form of the measles disease but can also be deadly.
The highlight of his presentation centered on the need for stakeholders to join in sensitizing the entire Ukwuani communities and households to ensure that children between 9 months and 14 years are vaccinated.

Dr. Oshike noted that while rumours often trail vaccination campaigns, he called on the Ukwuani people to disregard such rumours, which are aimed at discouraging parents from allowing their children and wards to take the vaccine, thereby endangering their lives and futures.

He assured the people that the vaccine is safe, effective, and has passed all necessary clinical tests, making it completely safe for children to take.

Other partners who spoke at the flag-off ceremony also encouraged stakeholders to sensitize Ukwuani communities and parents to embrace the forthcoming vaccination exercise and ensure their children are vaccinated.

All concerns raised at the ceremony were addressed, questions answered, and all recommendations made by stakeholders were taken into consideration.