The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says that Rubella Measles is a major cause of problems in newborn babies.
UNICEF said that if the disease is not found and treated, it can cause permanent hearing loss, birth defects, eye problems like cataracts, and blindness.
UNICEF shared this information on Tuesday during a training workshop for journalists, health teachers, and health workers. The workshop was about the new Measles Rubella vaccine that will start in October 2025.
Grace Odeyemi, the UNICEF leader in Niger State, said in her talk about Behavioural Change that it is important to increase awareness about Rubella Measles, especially for pregnant women. She added that even though the disease has existed for a long time worldwide, this will be the first time the vaccine is used in Nigeria.
She explained, “Rubella Measles is very dangerous. It can cause problems in babies either at birth or later in life. Mothers know about Measles and vaccinate their babies from birth to 14 months. But the Rubella vaccine is for children aged nine months to 14 years.”
“We will start the vaccination in October, and we want to reach all pregnant women and their babies.
We want to prevent birth defects caused by Rubella Measles. The media will help us tell women about the vaccine and encourage them to join the campaign,” she said.
UNICEF is working with the Niger State Government to support the Rubella vaccine program. The Ministry of Primary Health Care is ready to help stop Rubella Measles in the state.
The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, spoke through the State Immunisation Officer, Abubakar Kpantu, saying the training is to prepare for the Rubella vaccine campaign.
The vaccine will be given to children aged nine months to 14 years.“We want to reach every household when the vaccination starts in October.
Nigeria has many cases of Measles and Rubella, making up 37% of the global problem. Polio cases in Africa are 54%, second only to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
“The campaign will help close immunity gaps, stop the spread of Polio, Measles, and Rubella, and improve regular vaccinations.”
“Rubella is not well recorded in Nigeria because of limited checking. Every year, about 100,000 babies worldwide are born with problems from Rubella, which is a serious health concern,” Dangana added.
