Bauchi Targets 2.6 Million Children in Polio Vaccination Drive
Bauchi Targets 2.6 Million Children in Polio Vaccination Drive
The Bauchi State Government says it aims to reach about 2.6 million children in the ongoing Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) campaign for the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this during the flag-off of the exercise at Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi metropolis.
He said about 1.7 million doses of vaccines have been distributed across the state to support the campaign, which is being carried out simultaneously in all 20 local government areas.
Mohammed explained that trained vaccination teams have been deployed for house-to-house outreach to ensure that every eligible child is reached.
He added that the integrated immunisation exercise targets children aged 0 to 59 months for the polio vaccine, while children between one and 59 months will also receive Azithromycin to help prevent common life-threatening childhood infections.
“We are optimistic that this round of the campaign will significantly reduce the number of zero-dose children in Bauchi State,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, expressed concern over missed vaccination opportunities in previous rounds, noting that over 2,000 children were not immunised due to parental refusal.
She called for stronger community engagement and intensified awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and improve acceptance of immunisation services across the state.
Sponsored
Related stories
Health
Ebola: NCDC Identifies 62 Contacts, Extends Monitoring to November 13
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 62 individuals who had contact with confirmed Ebola cases and is monitoring them until November 13, 2026. With two healthcare workers among the confirmed cases and the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak continuing to spread, Nigeria remains on high alert, intensifying surveillance at points of entry and urging citizens to report symptoms and travel history promptly.
Health
Beyond Charity: The Push for Sustainable Cleft Care in Nigeria
Nigeria faces a backlog of over 200,000 untreated cleft cases, with only about 750 specialists available to perform the 7,000 surgeries needed annually. As Smile Train and the Federal Ministry of Health launch a five-year, $10 million initiative to integrate cleft care into the national health system, experts warn that charity missions alone cannot solve a crisis rooted in limited surgical capacity, prohibitive costs, and a severe shortage of trained professionals.
Health
Blood Crisis: Nigeria's Supply Falls Short as NBSA Warns of Rising Risks
The National Blood Service Agency has warned that Nigeria's blood supply remains critically below national requirements, with only about 500,000 units collected annually against an estimated need of two million units. Executive Secretary Dr. Saleh Yuguda says voluntary donation stands at just 15 per cent, warning that commercial and family replacement donations are fuelling unsafe practices and putting patients at risk.
Health
Adamawa Targets 130,000 Children in Polio Vaccination Drive
Adamawa State will run a special polio vaccination exercise from November 5 to 12 in Gombi and Fufore local government areas, targeting 130,000 children under five as part of the November National Plus Days campaign.
Comments (0)
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before publishing. Your email is never published.