MEDIA practitioners across Southern Nigeria have been urged to intensify public awareness and counter misinformation as the Federal Government commences the second phase of the Nationwide Integrated

The call was made during a virtual media engagement organised by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCS) in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) to mobilise broadcasters, journalists and digital content creators in Southern Nigeria as critical partners in the campaign, which targets children 0–14 years for measles and rubella and 0–59 months for polio.

In a remark, UNICEF Communication Officer, Enugu Field Office, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, said the new vaccine marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s immunisation programme.

Dr Onuoha stressed that the media plays a vital role in raising awareness and ensuring the campaign’s success.
Speaking at the session, stakeholders emphasised the need for harmonised messaging, real-time digital engagement and continuous feedback, noting that effective communication remains central to achieving high vaccine uptake and broad coverage.

ALSO, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, has solicited the support of local council chairmen for the success of the measles-rubella immunisation campaign in schools in the state.

Obidike made the call on Saturday in Awka at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting with the 21 council chairmen ahead of the measles-rubella vaccine campaign scheduled to be held from February 4 to 15 in the state.
He said that the cooperation of schools is critical to ensuring that all eligible children, aged nine months to 14 years, are reached and protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.