Jigawa Targets 1.2 Million Children in Polio Vaccination Drive
From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
Jigawa State is gearing up for a massive polio vaccination campaign aiming to reach 1.2 million children under the age of five. The four-day exercise, with an additional mop-up day, kicks off on Saturday.
Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA), announced the initiative while highlighting the state’s preparedness.
He explained that the PHCDA has finalized arrangements to vaccinate all targeted children across the state’s 27 local government areas.
“We’ve recruited over 9,180 personnel who will be organized into 3,060 teams and deployed to all 287 political wards in the state,” Dr. Ibrahim stated. “The exercise will involve house-to-house visits, designated centers, and public health facilities to ensure no child is missed.”
He emphasized the importance of the campaign despite Nigeria’s polio-free status. The initiative comes in response to the detection of environmental polio samples in neighboring states, prompting Jigawa to provide additional protection for its children.
“We urge parents and caregivers to cooperate fully and ensure their children receive the lifesaving polio vaccine,” Dr. Ibrahim said. “This will improve their immunity and shield them from this debilitating disease.”
Meanwhile, at a media orientation on the vaccination drive organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Kano State government, Michael Banda, Officer in Charge of the UNICEF Kano Office, called for collective action.
“Collaboration between media outlets, traditional leaders, and religious leaders is crucial to achieving polio-free certification in Nigeria,” Banda stressed.
He highlighted a concerning statistic: over 556,750 children haven’t received even a single dose of essential vaccinations, making them highly susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio.
“This is a serious issue that demands immediate attention,” Banda asserted. “Not only is polio vaccination vital, but all routine vaccinations are essential for child survival. We must work together to strengthen routine immunization services and ensure every child under five receives all necessary vaccines, including the polio vaccine.”
“By ensuring complete vaccination coverage, we can safeguard children against the debilitating effects of polio and other preventable diseases,” Banda concluded. “Vaccination remains the most cost-effective way to protect children from these illnesses.”
