By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board has urged parents and guardians to present children under five for vaccination to protect them against preventable childhood diseases.
Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made the call during the flag-off of this year’s African Vaccination Week (AVW), supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr Mohammed explained that the campaign, held nationwide, targets hard-to-reach children to boost their immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
He noted that the exercise is ongoing in five local government areas—Alkaleri, Bauchi, Darazo, Ganjuwa, and Ningi—which have the highest number of unvaccinated children.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed disclosed that Bauchi State’s coverage for the third dose of pentavalent vaccine stood at 33% in 2018, according to National Immunisation Coverage Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NICS/MICS) data.
He however said the state recorded significant progress in the 2024 NICS/MICS report, with coverage rising to 58%, making it the second-highest nationwide.
In a goodwill message, WHO Health Officer, Dr Yarima Kucici, said this year’s African Vaccination Week campaign strategy involves outreach efforts to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
Also speaking, Ms Adachi Eke of Nigeria Health Watch said eleven civil society organisations are monitoring the campaign to address non-compliance and vaccine rejection.
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