By our correspondant, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board at the weekend embarked on a road show to
sensitize residents on the importance of the upcoming Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign,
scheduled to hold from January 20 to 29, 2026.
The awareness drive, aimed at boosting immunization uptake and protecting children from
preventable diseases, began at Igbogene, passed through Kpansia Market, and concluded at
Oxbow Lake in the Swali area of Yenagoa.
Speaking during the exercise, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Williams Appah,
emphasized that measles and rubella remain serious public health concerns, particularly among
children, but can be effectively prevented through timely vaccination. He explained that the
Measles–Rubella vaccine is available for children aged 9 to 15 months, urging parents and
caregivers to take advantage of the campaign to safeguard their children’s health.
Dr. Appah further disclosed that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available for girls
aged 14 years, noting its crucial role in preventing cervical cancer later in life. He encouraged
parents to support the initiative by ensuring eligible girls receive the vaccine.
On behalf of the Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN),
Executive Director Lady Eunice Nnachi commended the Health Care Board for taking
immunization awareness directly to the people. She stressed that mothers and caregivers play a
critical role in protecting children’s health and urged parents to embrace routine immunization as
a responsibility rather than an option.
Lady Nnachi added that community-based sensitization helps dispel myths and misinformation
about vaccines, assuring residents that both the Measle-Rubella and HPV vaccines are safe,
effective, and essential for securing a healthier future for children in Bayelsa State.
The road show also featured participation from civil society groups, including the Eunice Nnachi
Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF), whose members joined health officials in mobilizing
residents, distributing information, and creating awareness about the benefits of routine
immunization.
Residents were encouraged to cooperate with health workers and make their children available
for vaccination, as the exercise is safe, free, and vital to improving child survival and overall
public health in Bayelsa State.
