The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, has disclosed that a total of 1, 451, 421 children are to be vaccinated against measles, while 1,596,000 are to be administered the oral polio vaccination during the one-week integrated v exercise.
Rilwanu Mohammed made the disclosure during the official flagging off of the Integrated Measles, Routine Immunisation, and Supplementary Immunisation Activities in Bauchi State.
He added that the Board has taken delivery of a total of 1,635,000 measles vaccine doses and 2,409,000 polio vaccine doses, along with other routine immunisation supplies.
Rilwanu Mohammed emphasised that the measles campaign provides an essential opportunity for carers to ensure their children are vaccinated, highlighting measles as a highly contagious disease that can cause pneumonia, blindness, deafness, diarrhoea, and even death in children U-5.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Board to safeguarding children’s health through an effective vaccination campaign targeting all child-killer diseases and emphasised the campaign’s importance in curbing measles outbreaks and ensuring every child has access to life-saving vaccines.
He praised the state government for its timely release of counterpart funding, which has significantly contributed to the success of the initiative.
Rilwanu Muhammad also commended the various development partners for their support, citing UNICEF’s contributions in logistics and planning to reach children across the state.
The EC noted that although Bauchi ranks second nationwide in PENTA vaccination coverage, 13 of its Local Government Areas (LGAs) still report high numbers of unvaccinated or “zero-dose” children, urging development partners to continue their support in addressing these challenges.
In his remarks, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation for Bauchi State, Dr. Adamu Muhammad, confirmed the state’s recent outbreaks of diseases like diphtheria, measles, yellow fever, and cholera, attributing them to lapses in immunisation compliance.
Adamu Muhammad appealed to parents to participate in the campaign to help eliminate polio and other preventable diseases.
He also encouraged carers to ensure the vaccination of their female children aged 9 to 13 with the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, emphasising that all vaccines are free, safe, and effective.
Representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Alhaji Shamsuddeen Abdulhamid, applauded Bauchi State and its partners for their robust implementation of the integrated supplementary immunisation campaign.
He stated that the campaign is expected to boost population immunity, prevent outbreaks, and help eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases.
In his comments, UNICEF Measles Consultant Alhaji Mustapha Nuru stressed that vaccination is the most reliable method to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
He highlighted the role of “Mama2Mama” groups in community mobilisation, particularly in educating women about antenatal care, facility-based delivery, and the importance of completing immunisation for children.
Also in a remark, the Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Yarima Bucici, noted that Bauchi State has been grappling with measles since March 2024 and called on community leaders to encourage parents to bring their children to vaccination posts.
He reiterated that children eligible for measles and polio vaccines range from 0 to 59 months, while routine immunisation focuses on children from 6 to 23 months, aiming to reduce zero-dose cases in the state.
In a message of support, a representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates and Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Muhammad Rabi’u Fagge, urged mothers to view the vaccination campaign as a life-saving measure for their children.
He assured that both foundations would continue supporting the state’s health initiatives to improve child health.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairperson of Bauchi Local Government, Mahmud Babamaaji, called on traditional and religious leaders to mobilise carers for maximum participation in the measles vaccination drive.
Represented by the Director of Primary Healthcare, Alhaji Sulaiman Abdu Kirfi, the Chairperson pledged continuous support to deliver quality health services in the nooks and crannies of the local government.
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