IntercontinentalNewsReservoir: Katsina targets 2.8m children for polio vaccination, administration of azithromycin

By Zubairu Idris

The Katsina State Government says is targeting over 2.8 million children under five years in the upcoming polio eradication campaign across the state.

The Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya, made the disclosure at a one day media dialogue for November Polio Vaccination campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

Represented by Dr Mukhtar Mahmud, the Executive Secretary said that they would also provide critical services including routine immunisation and mass administration of azithromycin to children.

He added that they would integrate maternal and child health services, offering vital interventions such as vitamin A and deworming tablets to children, and other supplements for pregnant women.

In his remarks, the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, said that though, the state has recorded remarkable progress in polio eradication, but still more need to be done.

He said that was because polio knows boundary, hence the need to continue to work hard together to ensure that all the 361 wards were covered during the campaign.

Mohammed-Farah said that door-to-door vaccination, fixed posts and mobile teams strategies were adopted to ensure that every eligible child was reached and received the service.

He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that no child was left behind during the exercise.

The Chief of the Field Office also urged local government Chairmen to support the campaign in their respective areas with a view to achieve the set objective.

Mohammed-Farah, therefore, urged the media to intensify efforts in disseminating accurate and timely information about the vaccines.