Katsina Begins Polio Vaccination November 7, Targets 2.6 Million Children
The Katsina State Government is set to commence a mass polio vaccination campaign on Saturday, November 7, targeting 2,688,730 children aged zero to 59 months across 28 local government areas.
The exercise will cover 299 wards and more than 17,000 settlements as part of efforts to strengthen immunisation coverage and protect children against poliovirus.
The State Health Educator and Health Promotion Officer of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Mukhtar Mahmud, disclosed this on Thursday during a mass mobilisation dialogue at the State Polio Emergency Operations Centre in Katsina.
The dialogue brought together journalists, social media influencers, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and U-Reporters to strengthen public awareness ahead of the exercise.
He explained that six local government areas—Bindawa, Dutsi, Kankia, Kusada, Safana and Sandamu—would not participate in the November round.
According to him, vaccination teams would deploy house-to-house visits, transit and special teams, fixed posts and temporary fixed posts to ensure that eligible children are reached.
The vaccines to be administered include the novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2), bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) and fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV), in line with approved health guidelines.
Mahmud said the exercise would feature two days of Directly Observed Polio Vaccination, four days of house-to-house immunisation and two days of mop-up activities to reach children missed during the initial phase.
He added that the campaign would also integrate other essential health interventions through the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week and the SARMAAN II Project, expanding access to preventive healthcare for children and pregnant women.
The health official urged journalists, influencers, NYSC members and U-Reporters to intensify public enlightenment, share verified information and encourage parents to present their children for vaccination.
He warned against the spread of rumours and misinformation, noting that false claims could create fear and discourage families from accepting life-saving health interventions.
The dialogue also reviewed the successes and challenges of previous vaccination campaigns, with participants agreeing on strategies to improve coverage and ensure that no eligible child was missed.
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