On Monday, officials from Enugu State reported that the state accomplished a remarkable 100% coverage in its recent measles and rubella vaccination initiative, successfully immunizing over two million children throughout its 17 local government areas.
Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, the Executive Secretary of the State’s Primary Health Care Development Agency, disclosed this achievement during a conversation with PREMIUM TIMES.
The vaccination campaign, which spanned from February 4 to 14, 2026, reached a total of 2,193,001 children according to validated data from the state's immunization reporting system, confirming that all children in the targeted demographic received the vaccine.
"We successfully reached our target population of 2,193,001 children. We achieved complete coverage of the targeted group," Ani-Osheku stated.
She emphasized that this comprehensive immunization enhances community immunity against measles and rubella, both of which are highly infectious diseases capable of causing severe health issues in children.
The effective execution of the campaign was attributed to meticulous planning and collaboration across various sectors, according to Ani-Osheku. She noted that robust safety measures were in place during the vaccination drive, and the frequency of adverse events post-immunization was low.
The initiative to administer the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine commenced in October 2025, championed by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in what has been dubbed Africa’s largest child immunization program aimed at safeguarding millions from these diseases.
In the weeks leading to the campaign, monitoring efforts by officials from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, including Muyi Aina and Adedolapo Fasawe, ensured that states were adequately prepared.
The positive outcomes of the vaccination campaign were highlighted in February 2026, when a report from PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the WHO had also launched the MR vaccine in Anambra State.
Additionally, data from Akwa Ibom State indicated that 1.2 million children were vaccinated within just six days of the campaign's initiation.
Reflecting on partnerships, Ani-Osheku credited the campaign's success to the synergy between various stakeholders, including state and local authorities, development partners, and community leaders. She recognized the Enugu State government's staunch support and resources that were crucial to the campaign's implementation.
Furthermore, religious and traditional leaders played a significant role in reducing vaccine hesitancy, with Ani-Osheku noting that their influence helped increase compliance among schools and worship centers.
As the campaign concludes, efforts will shift towards enhancing routine vaccinations. Ani-Osheku mentioned that all primary healthcare facilities in the state will now have the MR vaccine stocked, urging parents to ensure eligible children receive timely immunizations.
The Executive Secretary reaffirmed the commitment to addressing immunization gaps while highlighting that the campaign demonstrated the effectiveness of data-driven strategies and collaboration. She asserted that the state remains dedicated to ensuring comprehensive protection for all eligible children against measles and rubella.
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