The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government, has flagged off a seven-day immunisation exercise targeting 127,550 children in Toro Local Government Area of the state.
The Local Immunisation Officer (LIO) of Toro LGA, Musa Danladi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Toro, saying the exercise aims to further tackle polio-related diseases, reduce child mortality, curb vaccine-preventable diseases, and improve overall child health in the area.
Danladi explained that the exercise is being implemented with support from UNICEF, the Bauchi State Government, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), noting that 32 ward focal persons and field volunteers have been trained for effective coverage.
According to him, the campaign was flagged off in Tilde Ward due to its past record of vaccine non-compliance. He said vaccination teams are conducting house-to-house immunisation using Novel Oral Polio Vaccines (NOPV) for children aged zero to 59 months, while fixed posts have been established in all 17 wards to vaccinate children aged zero to 23 months with antigens such as BCG, Hepatitis B, IPV, PCV, and others.
Danladi stated that the LGA has recorded 99 per cent vaccine compliance, attributing the success to strong support from the local government chairman, UNICEF, and other development partners who ensured vaccine availability and community mobilisation.
He urged parents and caregivers to fully comply with vaccination campaigns to make the LGA free from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Also speaking, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, said over 1.7 million eligible children had been reached and vaccinated across the state, describing immunisation as a key strategy to save lives and protect children’s future.
Similarly, Ahmed Suleiman, a consultant at Magama Primary Healthcare Centre, Toro, said increased sensitisation had encouraged many parents to bring their children for vaccination.