Jigawa Targets Three Million Kids As It Embarks On  Measles/Polio Immunization Campaigns

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

In its efforts to combat the spread of measles and polio in the state, the Jigawa state government has rolled out a 10-day immunization campaign against the two child-killer diseases.

The campaign, scheduled to commence on Monday, October 6 is expected to last till October 16, with another two days would beset aside as mop up.

The State Primary Health Care Development Agency,, (PHCDA), which is carrying out the exercises, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNiCEF), said it was targeting over 3 million for immunization against measles rubella in Jigawa state during the period of the exercise.

The State Immunization Officer, (lSIO), Malam Shehu Ibrahim, at a media roundtable and campaign in Dutse noted that the targeted number represents 48-49% and children between 9 months -14 years will be the targeted beneficiaries during the programme.

He noted that the programme will be held simultaneously across the 288 wards in the 27 local government areas of the state, added that 1,580 number of team with 11 people per team, 3 personator, 3 recovers, 1 town announcer and mobilizer amongst the composition team during the 4 days program.

Giving the breakdown Shehu explained that in the area of polio vaccination, the programme targeted 1,517,319 children between 0-59 months as beneficiaries, noted that 5,121 qualified health workers will work for the success of the program.

Earlier speaking, State Coordinator NPHCDA, Dr. Kabiru Mustapha said the media dialogue and campaign was meant to address the issue of mobility and mortality rate of immunization against measles, saying all hands must be on deck to save the life of new born and yet unborn children from the deadly disease.

Mustapha solicited the support and cooperation of the media on the importance of the campaign for parents to allow their children to receive the vaccine.

He stated further with the support of all parents the pandemic will record zero percent, assured his agency full support and cooperation to all and sundry.

The UNICEF Facilitator attached to Jigawa Mr. Jubril Abdulsalam underscored the important role the media could play in convincing the populace to accept the immunizations and tasked them to encourage the people especially in the rural to submit their kids fir the exercise in order to ensure healthy future for the country.