Anambra Threatens School Closure Over Measles, Rubella Immunisation Access
Korede Abdullah 
ANAMBRA, Nigeria – The Anambra State Government warns public and private schools against blocking children’s access to measles and rubella immunisation, declaring immediate closure for any institution that violates the directive.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, issued the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting with chairpersons of the state’s 21 local government areas, ahead of the statewide vaccination campaign.
Obidike describes routine immunisation as a non-negotiable public good, stressing that schools play a critical role in protecting child health and preventing avoidable disease outbreaks.
“The health of our children is not negotiable. Any school, public or private, that denies children access to this life-saving vaccine will be shut down,” he says.
The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, says the campaign targets a sharp reduction in measles and rubella cases, noting that logistics and trained personnel are fully deployed.
Providing technical insight, the State Health Immunisation Officer, Mrs Edith Onwuka, confirms reported rubella cases in Njikoka, Aguata, Ihiala and Orumba North local government areas.
“These confirmed cases underline the urgency of this campaign. Immunisation remains the most cost-effective way to protect children and prevent outbreaks,” Onwuka says.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Koko Maxwella 