Nigeria has stepped up advocacy efforts in preparation for the introduction of the measles-rubella vaccine.
The Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), in a statement recently by its Head of Mission for the Advocacy Project, Dr. Mahmud Zubairu, ahead of the introduction of the vaccine, noted that rubella infections during pregnancy continue to pose a serious, but preventable threat, to the health of newborns across the federation.
As part of the advocacy, it urged stakeholders to invest in child health to ensure national stability and a better quality of life.
C-WINS disclosed that as the government takes steps to introduce the measles-rubella vaccine, the centre and other organisations are embarking on sustained advocacy to ensure its widespread acceptance.
According to the centre, the organisations are working closely with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other government health agencies to boost sensitisation for introducing the vaccine.
It said the organisations have urged stakeholders to support the swift implementation of the vaccine.
C-WINS noted: “Their efforts, including recent collaborations with the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), are critical in preparing the nation for the 2025 rollout.
“First Ladies across states such as Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, and Kwara, have launched public awareness campaigns, helping to drive community mobilisation nationwide.”
It said its recent engagement of influential figures, such as Nigeria’s Market Women Leader-General (Iyaloja General), Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, is also a crucial step to driving grassroots mobilisation for MR vaccine acceptance and uptake.
C-WINS recalled that its measles-rubella advocacy team visited Tinubu-Ojo on February 13, 2025.
According to Zubairu, C-WINS Head of Mission, the success of introducing the MR vaccine in Nigeria depends largely on the commitment of government at all levels to providing the required counterpart funding for the vaccination.
“Through the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) and partners, the MR vaccine is available for Nigeria, and our advocacy is to ensure that the government’s financial commitments are redeemed on time,” he added.
