By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State Government has flagged off the March round of immunization against polio, malaria and other child killer diseases, targeting over two million eligible children across the state. The exercise is being implemented through the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Bayan Fada in Bauchi Local Government Area on Monday, the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said over 4,200 vaccination teams have been deployed for house-to-house administration of vaccines, while 1,840 personnel are engaged at state and local government levels to monitor the exercise.
He explained that the campaign is being conducted concurrently with malaria vaccination and other interventions targeting childhood diseases, noting that this integrated approach is designed to improve uptake and protect children from multiple preventable illnesses.
Dr. Mohammed called on parents and caregivers to take advantage of the opportunity by ensuring that all eligible children are vaccinated, stressing that the vaccines are safe, effective and critical to reducing child mortality in the state.
Field observations across parts of Bauchi metropolis showed encouraging turnout, as many parents presented their children for vaccination.
Some caregivers, including Zainab Isah and Maryam Abubakar, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, attributing their participation to increased awareness, family support and the influence of community groups such as Fathers for Health and Mama2Mama, which have helped to boost confidence in immunization.
