EDUCATION
Aba North Launches Comprehensive Integrated Vaccination Campaign Targeting Children Aged 0–14 to Combat Measles, Rubella, Polio, HPV, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Aba North Local Government Area has commenced a wide-ranging Integrated Vaccination Campaign aimed at safeguarding the health of children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 14 years, as part of sustained efforts to reduce preventable childhood diseases and mortality across the council area.
The campaign covers Routine Immunization for children aged 0–23 months, Measles-Rubella vaccination for children from 9 months to 14 years, Polio vaccination for children aged 0–59 months, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 9 years, as well as interventions targeting Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC).
Speaking at a town hall meeting held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Wife of the Executive Mayor of Aba North, Lady Nina Iheke, called on all stakeholders to take ownership of the campaign and work collectively to eliminate the threat of measles and rubella in Aba North, Abia State, and the country at large.
The meeting brought together parents, teachers, religious leaders, and community representatives, whom Lady Iheke described as critical channels for information dissemination at the grassroots. She stressed that collective action by all stakeholders would significantly reduce child morbidity and mortality rates to the barest minimum, if not completely eradicate them.
She urged participants to extend the sensitization beyond the meeting hall by sharing the information at community gatherings, church meetings, and other social platforms, while also encouraging community leaders to ensure regular announcements within their various group structures.
According to her, creating avenues for community dialogues, group discussions, and meetings would further deepen public awareness and acceptance of the vaccination exercise.
Lady Iheke also encouraged men, women, and youth leaders to actively inform their members about the availability and importance of the vaccines and other health services, emphasizing that the vaccines are safe, effective, and provided free of charge. She noted that the vaccines are certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and have been in use globally since 1979.
In her presentation, the Ward Assistant, Mrs. Timothy Amarachi, educated participants on the nature of measles and rubella, describing them as highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases that spread rapidly through coughing, sneezing, or even talking. She further explained congenital rubella syndrome and highlighted the common signs and symptoms of measles and rubella, including heart defects, redness of the eyes, brain damage, watery eyes, skin rashes, runny nose, and severe cough. She emphasized that children eligible for the measles-rubella vaccine fall within the age range of 9 months to 14 years.
Also speaking at the event, the Education Secretary for Aba North, Lady Ngozi Omenazu, urged parents and guardians to take full advantage of the vaccination exercise by ensuring that their children are taken to the nearest health facilities. She described the campaign as a vital opportunity made possible through the proactive health policies of the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration to rid the state of measles and rubella.
She further called on stakeholders to help spread information about the vaccination campaign scheduled to run from February 4 to February 13, 2026, stressing that widespread participation is essential to achieving a healthier and disease-fre
e Aba North. to