By Abasi Ita
The Cross River State Government has launched the Measles Rubella Vaccination Campaign, reaffirming its commitment to protecting children and strengthening partnerships in the health sector.
The campaign was officially flagged off at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ikot Ansa, Calabar, with the state government urging parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children are vaccinated.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, said the administration remains committed to improving public health outcomes through sustained collaboration with development partners and relevant stakeholders. He described the vaccination exercise as a critical step toward preventing measles, rubella, and related complications among children.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, emphasised the importance of strong partnerships between the state government, federal agencies, and development partners in delivering effective healthcare services. He assured partners of the government’s continued support for health programmes aimed at safeguarding the wellbeing of residents.
Dr Ayuk called on community leaders, parents, caregivers, and other stakeholders to actively support the campaign to ensure high coverage across the state, noting that community participation is essential to the success of the exercise.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivien Mesembe Otu, said the campaign marked an important milestone, as Cross River is part of Phase 2b of the national introduction of the Measles Rubella vaccine.
She explained that the vaccination targets children aged nine months to 14 years and is designed to prevent measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, which can cause serious birth defects.
Dr Otu assured parents and caregivers that the vaccines are safe, effective, and free of charge. She added that vaccination teams would be deployed to health facilities, schools, markets, places of worship, and other public locations to ensure wide reach.
Goodwill messages from representatives of partner organisations and government agencies encouraged residents to take advantage of the exercise to protect children and improve overall public health outcomes in Cross River State.