From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, will on October 6 commence a statewide immunisation campaign against polio and rubella measles across the 34 local government areas of the state.
The exercise, which will run in two phases, is expected to end on February 13, 2026.
Speaking during a media dialogue in Katsina, the Head of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Rahama Farah, said a total of 4.8 million children between nine months and 14 years would be immunised against rubella measles.
He explained that the state had been provided with 3,698,500 doses of the novel oral polio vaccine to target 2.3 million children under the age of five.
Farah noted that UNICEF had supported the training of 3,300 health workers and 600 non-compliance resolution teams, adding that 2,253 teams would be deployed to administer the vaccines using both fixed and temporary strategies.
According to him, 34 council chairmen and 70 district heads had signed a declaration in support of the immunisation campaign.
He said, “While we acknowledge the progress made so far, our goal of halting the circulation of the polio virus in Katsina is yet to be attained. This year, the state recorded two cases of variant poliovirus compared to 17 cases in 2024.”
Farah urged council chairmen to provide security for vaccination teams in vulnerable areas and called on the media to disseminate accurate information on the vaccines as well as mobilise parents and caregivers to present their children for immunisation.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, said the state still recorded a high number of rubella measles cases and was committed to eradicating the disease.
He commended UNICEF and other development partners for supporting the agency in safeguarding the health of children and women in the state.