Cross River State has recorded impressive uptake in the ongoing measles–rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, with health authorities attributing the success to intensive community engagement, school-based sensitisation, and coordinated action by government agencies and development partners.
The statewide campaign, aligned with Nigeria’s national strategy to eliminate measles and rubella, is currently underway in all 18 local government areas. It targets children aged between nine months and 14 years, combining fixed health facility services with school and community outreach to maximise coverage.
Speaking in Calabar on Tuesday, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr Vivien Mesembe-Otu, described the turnout as encouraging. She credited the progress to strong inter-sectoral collaboration involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media, and relevant ministries.
According to frontline health workers, mobilisation efforts were largely community-driven. Mrs Mary Edet, a community health worker in Calabar Municipality, explained that vaccinators worked closely with local structures to ensure no eligible child was left out. Town announcers and community mobilisers were deployed to inform parents and direct them to designated vaccination points. She added that no adverse reactions had been reported among vaccinated children since the campaign began.
Schools have also played a central role in driving acceptance. At Anointed Children International School in Calabar, Head Teacher Mrs Teresa Kenneth confirmed that the school obtained parental consent before administering the vaccine. She noted that acceptance was widespread, with only one parent declining participation. Kenneth linked the high compliance rate to sustained awareness campaigns by state and local authorities, as well as official communication from health centres outlining the benefits of the exercise.
Health officials emphasised that the measles–rubella vaccine represents an advancement over the previous routine measles vaccine. Mrs Arit Ewifon-Eso, Focal Person for Edim-Otop Ward 2, said the improved formulation has significantly contributed to reducing measles cases in the state.
Community response has been largely positive. Mrs Mary Etam, a petty trader, said she remains committed to ensuring her child completes the full immunisation schedule. She stressed that any missed dose would be taken at a later date to guarantee protection.
From a development partner perspective, Dr Hilary Ozoh, Social Behaviour Specialist at the UNICEF Field Office, commended both demand and supply-side performance. He observed that many parents actively sought vaccination services, with minimal resistance reported, particularly within schools. Ozoh also praised the preparedness of health workers and the steady availability of vaccine supplies, describing Cross River as progressive in vaccine acceptance for public health campaigns.
With the campaign still ongoing, health authorities have urged parents and caregivers to present eligible children at health facilities, schools, and designated outreach centres before the exercise concludes to ensure full protection against measles and rubella.
Source: NAN
Edited by 9News Nigeria
