Zamfara State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has announced plans to vaccinate 1.2 million children through a statewide integrated vaccination campaign.
The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Hussaini Yakubu Anka, made this known during a media dialogue held at the Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau.
According to Dr. Anka, the state government, in partnership with donor agencies, has completed all necessary arrangements for the immediate rollout of the exercise across the 14 local government areas.
He explained that, the campaign aims was to tackle vaccine preventable diseases including polio and rubella while also addressing malnutrition among children.
Dr Yakubu Anka stressed that, to ensure effective coverage and success, they have mobilized 1,997 well-trained teams to reach all 147 wards in the state.
The Executive Secretary, however, raised concerns over resistance encountered in some communities and private schools, attributing the challenge to low awareness about the importance of vaccination.
He commended Governor Dauda Lawal, UNICEF, and other development partners for their consistent support and for providing the enabling environment required for the exercise.
Dr. Anka appealed to community leaders, parents, and school authorities to fully support the campaign for the health and wellbeing of children across Zamfara State.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
