The state government of Sokoto has launched an integrated immunization campaign aimed at vaccinating no less than 2.8 million children against polyomyelitis, measles, rubella and human papilloma (HPV) throughout the state.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto revealed this on Monday during the official displacement ceremony held in the city of Bodyinga, Bodying Local Government area.
Aliyu said that the ten -day exercise, which covers the 244 rooms in the state, is addressed to children between nine months and fourteen as part of the efforts to stop the spread of preventable childhood diseases.
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He asked community and religious leaders, development partners and interested parties to mobilize parents and caregivers to guarantee full participation in the campaign.
“Nigeria currently records one of the greatest numbers of measles and rubella infections worldwide,” warned the governor, adding that the lack of vaccination could lead to serious complications, which include blindness, deafness and even death.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, Governor Aliyu reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to strengthen health administration and promote disease prevention through regular immunization.
The State Health Commissioner, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, announced that 1,378 vaccination equipment had been deployed throughout the state, and each team included 11 trained health workers.
He added that Sokoto received more than three million doses of vaccines from the National Agency for Primary Health Care Development (NPHCDA) and praised the state government for quickly releasing their counterpart funds to support the year.
Also speaking, the representative of the Sakoto Sultan, Alhaji Kabir Alhassan Cigari, who is the head of the District of Wurno, promised the continuous support of the traditional rulers to sensitize the communities and mobilize parents to embrace the impulse of vaccination.
The campaign, the authorities said, is part of the renewed State commitment to strengthen the provision of primary medical care and improve the welfare of children throughout Sokoto..
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