JIGAWA VACCINATES 2.6 MILLION CHILDREN IN POLIO DRIVE, EXCEEDS TARGET
Jigawa State says it has vaccinated more than 2.6 million children under the age of five in its latest polio immunisation campaign, surpassing its target with 116% coverage.
The figure was disclosed by the State Health Information Officer of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shehu Ibrahim, during a media and stakeholders’ engagement held on Monday in Dutse.
The session, supported technically by the UNICEF Kano Field Office, reviewed the March round of the campaign conducted across all 27 local government areas.
Mr Ibrahim said the exercise reached 2.6 million children, exceeding planned coverage. “Number of children vaccinated in the last round conducted in March across 27 Jigawa LGAs is 2.6 million, representing 116% coverage,” he said.
He added that 5,551 cases of non-compliance were recorded during the exercise, but more than 4,000 were resolved through community engagement. A total of 472 cases remain unresolved.
Mr Ibrahim identified six local government areas—Auyo, Babura, Birnin Kudu, Malam Madori, Ringim and Gwiwa—as having weak social mobilisation during the campaign.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, represented by the Director of Public Health, Muhammad Abdullah, praised health workers and partners for what he described as strong performance but warned against complacency.
“We cannot afford to relent. Every child must be reached if we are to keep Jigawa and Nigeria polio-free,” he said.
Officials at the meeting also urged stronger media involvement to counter misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
The Deputy State Immunisation Officer, Ashiru Ma’azu, said improved collaboration with journalists would help strengthen future campaigns.
“The expected outcome is improved coverage through accurate reporting and community sensitisation before and during campaigns,” he said.
Health Education Officer Sani Yusuf stressed the role of the media in shaping public perception of immunisation.
“The media shapes public opinion. We need you to tell parents that vaccines are safe and free,” he said.
