The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has confirmed a measles outbreak in the Rukubi community, located in Doma Local Government Area, just months before the state is set to roll out a combined measles and rubella vaccine.

The announcement, made during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lafia on Tuesday, has raised concerns among health officials and residents. At the meeting, the state reaffirmed its commitment to fighting deadly childhood diseases such as measles and rubella.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Sule, Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe stressed the urgency of the upcoming vaccine campaign. He highlighted the serious complications associated with measles and rubella, including blindness, deafness, brain damage, and even death.

“As a medical doctor, I’ve witnessed children lose their sight to rubella. It’s a real, yet preventable disease,” Akabe said. “Introducing this vaccine demonstrates our collective resolve to protect every child in Nasarawa State and across Nigeria.”

As preparations for the new vaccine rollout continue, Health Commissioner Dr. Gaza Gwamna confirmed that healthcare workers have already been dispatched to the affected areas in Doma LGA to curb the spread.

“We are taking no risks,” Dr. Gwamna stated. “Although the vaccination officially begins in October, we’ve started sensitizing communities early, especially given the need to address cultural and religious sensitivities.”

The stakeholders’ meeting, which included all 13 local government chairmen and their spouses, served as a rallying point to secure local backing for the immunization campaign.

Dr. Usman Iskilu, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, praised the governor’s proactive response and emphasized the importance of the two-in-one vaccine for children aged 0 to 15 months.

“Measles and rubella are serious threats, but they are preventable,” Iskilu said. “Our mission is to reach every eligible child with this vaccine, and that requires strong support from community leaders at all levels.”

With the October launch fast approaching, health authorities are ramping up community outreach to ensure a smooth and widely accepted vaccine rollout across Nasarawa State.