At the Centre for Well-Being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), we are sounding the alarm: rubella infections during pregnancy remain a serious but entirely preventable threat to newborns in Nigeria. As the nation prepares for the introduction of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine in Q4 2025, C-WINS urges all levels of government, partners, and community leaders to intensify efforts—because the cost of delay is measured in lifelong disabilities and preventable deaths.

“Nigeria cannot afford to wait. The MR vaccine offers a real chance to break the cycle of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which continues to rob children of sight, hearing, and healthy development,” said Dr. Mahmud Zubairu, C-WINS Head of Mission for the MR Advocacy Project.

C-WINS Advocacy in Action

C-WINS has been at the forefront of national advocacy for the MR vaccine, coordinating efforts with the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) and other influential leaders to mobilize political and community support. First Ladies from Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, and Kwara States have since launched awareness campaigns to build public trust and mobilize caregivers.

Our advocacy also extends to the grassroots. In February 2025, the C-WINS team met with the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to engage market women across the country—a critical constituency in reaching children with lifesaving vaccines.

The Challenge Ahead

Although the MR vaccine is being made available through the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi), its success hinges on timely financial commitments from both federal and state governments. These include:

• Funding for vaccine transport and cold-chain storage
• Training and deployment of frontline health workers
• Sustained investment in community-based outreach

“Without adequate and timely government funding, Nigeria risks missing this opportunity to protect its children and families from irreversible harm,” Dr. Zubairu emphasized.

Why the MR Vaccine Matters Now

Rubella is often misunderstood as a mild illness, yet when contracted by pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, it can cause Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)—leading to birth defects such as cataracts, heart anomalies, deafness, and intellectual disabilities.

C-WINS warns that rubella is frequently misdiagnosed as measles in Nigeria, with an estimated 1 in 10 measles cases actually being rubella. Despite global scientific consensus since 1941—sparked by the work of Australian ophthalmologist Dr. Norman McAlister Gregg—Nigeria is only now joining 175 WHO member states in adopting the MR vaccine.

The timing is critical. Global measles cases spiked by 20% in 2023, with over 10.3 million infections and 107,500 deaths—half of them in Africa. Nigeria’s measles vaccine coverage remains well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, hovering between 50% and 60%, with wide regional disparities. The North-West, in particular, remains critically underserved.

What Must Be Done

C-WINS is calling on all stakeholders to prioritize the MR vaccine rollout and ensure that no child is left behind. This means:

• Eliminating security barriers to access
• Addressing misinformation and vaccine hesitancy
• Scaling up equitable outreach in underserved areas
• Strengthening funding and operational planning at all government levels

We commend the endorsement of the MR vaccine rollout by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and urge full implementation of routine immunization policies that prioritize equity and sustainability.

A Shared Responsibility

The road ahead requires collaboration, urgency, and political will. The MR vaccine is more than a health intervention—it’s a national investment in human capital, public trust, and long-term development.

“With the MR vaccine, Nigeria can save lives, reduce health care costs, prevent disabilities, and build a stronger, more productive nation. But this will only happen if we act together—and act now,” said Dr. Zubairu.

At C-WINS, we remain committed to supporting this life-saving initiative—through advocacy, partnership, and strategic mobilization—until every Nigerian child is protected.

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