Katsina Partners UNICEF On Polio Vaccination

Katsina State Government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday, to start polio immunisation in the state.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the exercise is targeted at 2.9 million children, and it is expected to hold for a week.

Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya, the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said this while flagging off the immunisation on Monday in Katsina.

According to him, the first phase of the exercise would cover 13 out of the 34 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, noting that the immunisation is against poliovirus and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the state.

He also stated that the target beneficiaries are children between the ages of zero and 59 months.

He further explained that the agency is working with other development partners and NGOs to ensure that children in areas with security challenges are reached.

“Although Nigeria has been certified for vaccination polio-free since 2020, the country has two circulating variants of the polio virus which have the potential to spread and cause serious setbacks to its citizens.

“Based on that, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and all other partners deemed it fit to carry out this campaign to strengthen our immunity.

“It is also aimed at ensuring that the virus does not creep back into our communities.

“There is going to be an injection for children between six weeks and 59 months of age, while the other oral vaccine is going to be for children from zero to 59 months. All these vaccines are safe,” he said.

Yahaya also disclosed that the agency had since embarked on series of campaigns and conferences, among other activities, aimed at mobilising the communities to come out and take the vaccines.

Also speaking on the exercise, Dr Ogu Enemaku, a social and behavioural change specialist with UNICEF, Kano field office, described the exercise as a very important development.

Enemaku noted that the state has the highest number of unvaccinated children, adding that the exercise was, therefore, an opportunity to have them all vaccinated.

“This flag-off is very important because it is not polio alone, routine immunisation is also part of it.

“So, it is an opportunity to have many unvaccinated children vaccinated. UNICEF is fully supporting this initiative in Katsina State.

“My message to the general public is that vaccination is safe and free. It is the easiest way to keep our family healthy.

“Therefore, every family or caregiver should make the children available for vaccination,” he said.