The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have flagged off an integrated Measles, rubella and HPV immunisation exercise.
The immunisation campaign was inaugurated in Bodinga local government area and targeted two point eight million children across 23 LGAs in the state.
Flagging off the exercise, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said that the exercise would cover all 244 wards across the state.
He called on community, religious leaders, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to actively support the exercise by mobilising and ensuring that all eligible children receive the required vaccines.
According to him, the vaccines will be administered to children aged 9 months to 14 years, and the exercise will last for 10 days.
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Governor Aliyu added that Nigeria has the highest number of children globally infected with the measles and rubella viruses.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Idris Gobir, highlighted the significant gap in the immunity status of children who are not receiving their vaccines as and when due, resulting in serious consequences such as deafness, blindness, and other complications.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a healthcare system that is not only accessible but also provides the best possible care and supports early detection of preventable diseases.
In his address, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Faruk Abubakar Wurno, stated that 1,378 teams have been set up, with each team in the 244 wards consisting of 11 personnel.
Dr Wurno added that the state has received 3,072,520 doses of vaccines from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The Commissioner thanked the state government for releasing its counterpart funding for the exercise.
Commenting, the representative of the Sultan and District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabir Alhassan Cigari, assured of the traditional rulers’ support and commitment towards ensuring the success of the exercise.