By Kamilu Lawal, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has launched a comprehensive statewide immunisation campaign aimed at covering 19,790 settlements, targeting children aged zero to 59 months.
The exercise, coordinated by the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, is focused on the eradication of polio and the strengthening of routine immunisation services across all 34 Local Government Areas and 361 wards of the state.
Speaking at a mass mobilisation dialogue held in Katsina, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the success of the campaign.
He urged parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination, stressing that immunisation remains a safe and effective way of protecting children from life-threatening diseases.
Dr. Yahaya disclosed that over 10,000 trained personnel, including healthcare workers, supervisors and community volunteers, have been deployed to implement the exercise through house-to-house vaccination and fixed post strategies to ensure maximum coverage.
He further called on media organisations, community leaders and social media influencers to intensify public enlightenment efforts, particularly in addressing misinformation and misconceptions that could hinder the success of the campaign.
The Executive Secretary also expressed concern over the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria and meningitis, as well as Lassa fever in some parts of the state, noting that sustained immunisation efforts are critical in curbing the spread of such diseases.
Dr. Yahaya commended the Katsina State Government for its continued commitment to improving healthcare delivery, especially at the primary healthcare level.
He noted that the campaign is receiving technical and logistical support from development partners, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
According to him, mop-up activities will be conducted after the initial phase of the exercise to ensure that no eligible child is missed.
Participants at the mobilisation dialogue, including key stakeholders and community representatives, pledged their support towards promoting awareness and ensuring acceptance of polio vaccination and routine immunisation across the state.
The Katsina State Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of children, while sustaining progress towards a polio-free and healthier society.
