The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) says 22 local government areas (LGEAs), in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, North West Nigeria, have not complete full dose for their children.
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This was stated at the 2-day Media dialogue on Routine Immunization and Zero Dose reduction campaign with Journalists from Abuja, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States in Sokoto State.
This was according to UNICEF’s reports on prioritized zero dose in local government areas for 2023 to 2025.
The reports revealed that, there are 22 local government areas who have not fully complete full dose for their children.
It also indicate that Sokoto has 13, Kebbi 3 and Zamfara 6, local government areas.
While emphasised the needs for communities in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states parents to brace up and allow their wives to carry their wards to receive vaccines.
The UNICEF Chief Field Officer in Sokoto, Maryam Said, said the states covered by their office have the highest burden of unimmunized children in Nigeria, with 22 Local Government Areas out of the 100 high burden zero-dose LGAs in Nigeria.
“The recent outbreaks of Diphtheria in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states were found to have occurred in locations with zero-dose children.
“This underscores the imperative of strengthening routine immunization, as the outbreaks signal the danger posed to children’s lives by low immunization coverage levels.”
Sai’d who was represented by Health Manager in the sokoto field office, Shamina Sharmain, reitterated the agency’s commitments to partner media and enlighten caregivers, communities, traditional and religious leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders on how to promote routine immunization.
Also Speaking, the Director of Public Health at the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, Dr Abdulrahman Ahmad, called on the general public to consider the negative effects of zero doses on children.
He emphasized that complete immunization of children helps protect them against tuberculosis and other vaccine – preventable diseases.
He noted that Nigeria is among the top three nations contributing to the high prevalence of vaccine -preventable diseases world wide.
Dr Ahmad noted that low coverage and rejection of polio immunization may cause Diphtheria and other killer diseases .
Also in his remarks, the District Head of Gagi, in Sokoto South local government, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabi, urged the government and other stakeholders in the state to contribute to the campaign for zero-dose immunization reduction.
He maintain that immunization campaigns extend beyond the government or individuals, emphasizing the need for collective efforts from society to address.
Alhaji Jabbi commended UNICEF for organising the dialogue which he said will provide more avenue for enlighten caregiver on the negative perception on polio vaccine.
