Katsina State Targets Three Million Children in Polio Immunization Drive
The Katsina State Government is launching an ambitious door-to-door polio immunization campaign aimed at reaching three million children. This initiative is part of a broader effort to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases and enhance the primary healthcare system within the state.
During a strategic mobilization meeting with journalists, social media influencers, and other media representatives, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, the Executive Director of the State Primary Health Care Authority, announced that the vaccination campaign is set to take place from March 28 to March 31, 2026.
This undertaking is in collaboration with prominent development partners such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and aims to bolster routine immunization coverage across Katsina. The focus will predominantly be on children aged 0 to 5 years, with particular attention given to the most vulnerable demographic, those under 9 months old.
Dr. Yahaya detailed that the immunization initiative will entail a four-day training process for health workers. These trained professionals will traverse neighborhoods, schools, markets, and hard-to-reach areas to guarantee that no eligible child is missed during the vaccination effort.
He urged parents and guardians to welcome vaccination teams into their homes, emphasizing the importance of utilizing these free, life-saving services. Extensive preparations have been initiated, including equipping frontline health workers, community staff, and volunteers for the campaign.
Additionally, specialized teams will be assigned to markets and nomadic settlements located in border regions, with supervisors appointed to ensure effective monitoring and accountability throughout the immunization exercise. Dr. Yahaya characterized this campaign as a collective responsibility and encouraged media personnel and influencers to participate actively in creating public awareness and mobilization initiatives.
He further elaborated on the government’s ongoing investment in the primary healthcare system, which includes upgrading over 200 facilities, hiring more healthcare workers, and providing essential infrastructure like solar power, water supplies, and ambulances. These efforts are designed to ensure round-the-clock access to high-quality healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved communities throughout the state’s 34 local government areas.
Moreover, Dr. Yahaya reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to combating malnutrition and enhancing children’s health through preventive measures such as exclusive breastfeeding, good hygiene practices, and timely immunizations. He underscored the holistic nature of this public health initiative, which integrates nutritional services, treatment for common childhood illnesses, and community awareness programs.
With renewed political will and support from various partners, Dr. Yahaya expressed optimism that this campaign will significantly mitigate the risk of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the region.
