The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Enugu State for the successful conclusion of Stream 2 of its Measles-Rubella Integrated Campaign, which vaccinated over 2.1 million children against measles, rubella, and cervical cancer. The campaign, completed recently, represents a significant step in bolstering immunisation coverage in Nigeria’s southeastern region.
In a statement, WHO underscored that every child deserves protection from measles and rubella, noting with concern that many, particularly in underserved communities, remain unvaccinated. The Enugu State initiative directly addressed this gap by delivering lifesaving vaccines to children across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The statement highlighted the dual benefit of the integrated approach, combining measles and rubella vaccines with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer.
The campaign’s execution relied on a robust partnership framework. The Enugu State Government collaborated with Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and other key stakeholders to coordinate logistics, community engagement, and service delivery. Central to the operation’s success was a dedicated monitoring system. WHO deployed more than 60 independent monitors province-wide. Their mandate was to identify and trace missed children, ensure real-time data accuracy, flag operational risks promptly, and support equitable vaccine access, thereby minimising dropout rates and geographical disparities.
One monitor, NYSC Corps Member Ms. Faith O., described the experience: “I now understand how vital vaccines are. Today, I helped ensure no child in my community was missed.” Her testimony illustrates the hands-on role of local personnel in achieving thorough coverage.
WHO also acknowledged the critical financial and technical support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The partnership, the statement noted, helps strengthen monitoring systems and expands access to essential vaccines in low- and middle-income settings.
Such integrated campaigns are vital for preventing measles and rubella outbreaks, which can have devastating consequences, especially in communities with weak health systems. By efficiently delivering multiple vaccines in a single drive, the approach optimises resources while extending protection against multiple diseases. The Enugu campaign serves as a model for sustaining high immunisation coverage and advancing the goal of leaving no child behind in Nigeria’s public health agenda. Continued collaboration and vigilant monitoring will be essential to maintain these gains and replicate success in subsequent phases.
