UNICEF warns Rubella measles causes birth defects in newborns

The United Nations Children’s Education Fund, UNICEF, has said that Rubella Measles is one of the major causes of defects in newly born babies.

UNICEF disclosed that if not detected and treated, the disease could result in permanent hearing impairment, birth defects, cataracts, and blindness, among others.

UNICEF made this known on Tuesday during a sensitisation training workshop for media practitioners, health educators, and health workers on the introduction of the Measles Rubella vaccination, which kicks off in October 2025.

UNICEF Niger State Lead, Grace Odeyemi, in her paper on Behavioural Change, noted that it was necessary to intensify the campaign on Rubella Measles, particularly among pregnant women, saying that although it had been in existence globally for a long time, it was the first time the Rubella Measles vaccine was being introduced in the country.

“Rubella Measles is very deadly. It can cause defects in new babies, maybe at birth or after the child has grown up. Mothers are already aware of Measles and vaccinate their babies against it from age zero to 14 months, but the Rubella Measles vaccine is from nine months to 14 years old.

“We are kicking off in October, and we hope to get to all pregnant women and their new babies. We want to avoid defects which could be caused by the Rubella Measles disease. The media will help us to sensitise the women and ensure that they participate in this campaign,” she said.

UNICEF is collaborating with the Niger State Government to promote the Rubella vaccine in the state through the Ministry of Primary Health Care, which has indicated its readiness to ensure that Rubella Measles is eradicated in the state.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, who was represented at the event by the ministry’s State Immunisation Officer, Abubakar Kpantu, said the essence of the training was to ensure the implementation of the Rubella campaign for the vaccination of children between ages nine months and 14 years old.

“We hope to get to all households as soon as the vaccination begins in October. Nigeria contributes to the burden of Measles and Rubella globally, which puts us at 37%, while 54% is for Polio in Africa, which is the second largest after the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The campaign is being implemented to close the immunity gaps; interrupt the transmission of Polio, Measles, and Rubella infections; and to strengthen Routine Immunisation.

“Rubella is under-documented in Nigeria due to limited surveillance. The 2024 Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) remained a significant global public health concern, with an estimated 100,000 babies born into CRS each year,” Dangana said.