Zamfara State is facing a disturbing rise in vaccine hesitancy, with nine out of its fourteen local government areas recording extremely low uptake of routine immunization.
Health officials say this gap is putting thousands of children at risk of deadly but preventable diseases.
The concern was raised during a media briefing organized by the State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with UNICEF, ahead of a major integrated vaccination campaign scheduled to begin this week.
Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Primary Healthcare Board Husaini Yakubu reveals that between 11 to 13 cases of poliomyelitis have recently been recorded in the state, an alarming sign that the virus is still circulating.
He stressed the need to ensure all children aged 0 to 59 months receive the polio vaccine as well as other routine immunizations.
He noted that Zamfara has also experienced repeated cholera and measles outbreaks, further highlighting the danger posed by poor vaccine coverage.
The Incident Manager of the Polio Emergency Operation Centre, Murtala Salahudeen, adds that the state is grappling with a “huge gap” in vaccine intake.
To counter the challenge, health authorities say they are now working closely with religious leaders, traditional rulers, and school proprietors to help rebuild trust and encourage parents to bring their children out for vaccination.
A total of 1.2 million children are targeted in the upcoming campaign, a critical step toward protecting Zamfara’s young population from preventable diseases.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
