Bauchi State has commenced a large-scale Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) campaign aimed at vaccinating approximately 2.6 million children against polio.
The exercise, officially flagged off at Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi metropolis, seeks to strengthen the state’s immunisation coverage and reduce the prevalence of zero-dose children.
According to Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, the campaign has already distributed 1.7 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) across all 20 local government areas.
Trained vaccination teams are conducting house-to-house outreach to ensure that no eligible child is left behind. The integrated campaign targets children aged 0 to 59 months for OPV, while those between 1 and 59 months will also receive Azithromycin, providing protection against common life-threatening infections.
Dr. Mohammed expressed optimism that the current round would significantly reduce the number of children who have never received vaccines, describing the initiative as a critical step in safeguarding the health of Bauchi’s youngest residents.
Highlighting persistent challenges, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, noted that previous immunisation rounds were hindered by parental refusal, leaving over 2,000 children unvaccinated. She emphasized the need for intensified community engagement and awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and improve overall participation.
The Bauchi State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and other health stakeholders, is committed to ensuring widespread immunisation coverage through meticulous planning, community mobilization, and proactive public education.
Officials urge parents and guardians to cooperate fully with vaccination teams to protect children from preventable diseases and contribute to the state’s broader public health goals.
