Bauchi govt flags off African vaccination week

Bauchi State on Thursday commenced activities for the annual African Vaccination Week (AVW), aimed at complementing the government’s efforts to increase immunization uptake among eligible children under five (U-5).

The 2025 AVW, themed “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” is being implemented by the Bauchi State Field Office of the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB) and other partners, including civil society organizations (CSOs), Community Resource Groups, and various implementing partners (IPs) working in the state.

Dr. Yarima Kucici, WHO’s Bauchi Field Office representative, during a brief flag-off ceremony at the Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre on Thursday, stated that this year’s AVW would focus on five local government areas—Alkaleri, Bauchi, Darazo, Ganjuwa, and Darazo—which have a high prevalence of zero-dose children.

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Dr. Kucici said immunization outreach services would be carried out in underserved communities within the five identified LGAs.

Speaking on behalf of the CSOs supporting the AVW activities, Dr. Adachi Ekeh of Nigeria Health Watch said the organization would work alongside other CSOs to address non-compliance issues and mobilize caregivers to allow eligible children to receive vaccinations.

Providing further insight into the AVW, the Incident Manager (IM) of the State Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Dr. Sufyan Ahmad Jibrin, called on community and religious leaders to support the success of the initiative.

He noted that the 2025 AVW coincides with the National Immunization Days (NIPDs), which will be officially flagged off in the state on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Dr. Jibrin cautioned vaccination teams against data falsification and vaccine wastage, urging them to maintain integrity during the exercise.

“If you are found wanting, it attracts outright dismissal and possible prosecution,” Dr. Jibrin warned.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the BSPHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, thanked WHO and other implementing partners for their continued support in improving child health in Bauchi State.

He disclosed that this month’s NIPDs round would receive high-level supervision from international bodies such as WHO, UNICEF, and AFENET, along with top government officials, traditional institutions, and reputable local CSOs.

He added that the state government, with support from partners, is committed to addressing the challenges posed by zero-dose cases, which threaten the optimal development and growth of children.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of community and religious leaders during the flag-off event.