Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has convened a high-level sensitization programme in collaboration with the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other key partners to intensify public awareness ahead of the statewide rollout of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine scheduled for January 2026.
The sensitization event, held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City, brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals, development partners, government officials, and the media to strengthen public engagement and counter misinformation surrounding the vaccine.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, emphasized the urgency of public education on the MR vaccine, noting that addressing fears, myths, and misconceptions is essential to achieving widespread immunization coverage.
She stated that her advocacy is driven by personal encounters with the devastating impacts of vaccine-preventable diseases:
“I have seen the pain of preventable diseases. Sometimes when I see children, I feel sad because it is actually preventable. I have also seen the transformative power of immunization. That is why I stand here today not just as a public servant but as a mother and advocate to ensure no child is left behind.”
Mrs. Anani stressed that the MR vaccine is safe, effective, and free, urging parents and caregivers to take full advantage of the campaign. She commended community leaders, the media, and civil society groups for their role in amplifying correct information:
“Your voices carry weight. Use them to dispel myths, encourage participation, and help build a healthier Edo State in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, where health is a central pillar.”
She also lauded healthcare workers for their dedication, describing them as “the backbone of the campaign” and reaffirming the State’s commitment to eliminating measles and rubella—highly contagious diseases that continue to threaten unvaccinated children and vulnerable groups.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomole, praised Governor Okpebholo for ongoing reforms in the health sector, including the transformation of Primary Health Centres and efforts to make routine and mass vaccination more accessible. He warned of the severe health consequences associated with measles-rubella infections and urged the public to embrace vaccination as the most effective preventive measure.
The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Nora Eyo, commended Edo State for prioritizing children’s health and highlighted the critical importance of sensitization in building trust and ensuring high turnout. She noted that measles-rubella remains a significant public health threat, especially for unvaccinated children and pregnant women.
According to her,
“Sensitization determines community trust, participation, and ultimately the success of any public health campaign. Caregivers must understand why children aged 9 months to 15 years should receive the measles-rubella vaccine.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of EDSPHCDA, Dr. Coulson Osoikhia, emphasized that outbreaks of measles and rubella persist mainly in areas with incomplete vaccination coverage. He said the State’s awareness efforts will focus on parents, caregivers, and frontline healthcare workers to ensure they understand the vaccine’s benefits and availability.
He noted that measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, while rubella poses life-threatening risks to unborn children if pregnant women become infected. He reiterated that the MR vaccine is completely free and will be available at designated health facilities across the State during the January rollout.
The programme also featured an in-depth keynote lecture by Prof. Ayebo Sadoh, who educated participants on symptoms, transmission, complications, and prevention of measles and rubella. She reinforced that vaccination remains the safest, most reliable defence for children and communities.
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