No fewer than 2.2 million children have so far received vaccines against measles, rubella, poliomyelitis, and other preventable diseases in the ongoing integrated vaccination campaign in Sokoto State.
The state government has intensified its outreach efforts by conducting awareness campaigns in churches, mosques, schools, markets, and other public spaces to ensure maximum coverage.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruku Wurno, disclosed this on Tuesday during a review meeting, where he urged parents and guardians to ensure their children and wards were vaccinated.
He stressed that the vaccines were essential to protect children from life-threatening but preventable diseases.
Wurno said the campaign formed part of a broader national initiative to improve vaccination coverage and promote community ownership of public health programmes.
He noted that the Sokoto State Government had taken strong steps to mobilize citizens and raise awareness about the exercise.
The commissioner commended the management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for their cooperation in resolving concerns raised by some staff during the campaign.
He also thanked other key stakeholders, including the Commissioners for Basic and Secondary Education, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Sultanate Council, for helping to address public misconceptions surrounding the vaccination effort.
Speaking on the progress of the campaign, the Campaign Incident Manager, Dr. Hamza Yusuf, reported that about 65 per cent coverage had been achieved so far, adding that cases of non-compliance were minimal and being addressed.
Yusuf identified Tureta, Sabon Birni, and Isa as priority areas due to their hard-to-reach and security-challenged conditions. He also listed Wamakko, Sokoto North, and Sokoto South as having the highest levels of non-compliance.
“We are deploying appropriate strategies to reach remote communities and working closely with stakeholders to overcome resistance,” Yusuf said, while commending development partners for their continued support.
Wurno reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting every child’s health and called on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to support the vaccination drive to ensure that no eligible child was left unvaccinated.
Meanwhile, following discussions with UDUTH management led by Chief Medical Director Prof. Anas Sabir, a committee has been formed to enhance mobilization within the hospital community.
However, there have been isolated cases of disruption. At Rumbukawa Primary School in Sokoto North Local Government Area, a team of vaccinators was attacked by thugs, resulting in injuries and the hospitalization of victims.
In another incident, a girl reportedly fell ill after receiving the vaccine at Sultan Maccido School and is currently receiving treatment at Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital.
A medical team has been deployed to assess both situations.
The commissioner directed immediate action on the incidents and assured vaccination teams of their safety, saying that security measures had been strengthened across all levels of the campaign.
