The Kaduna State Government has launched a six-day vaccination campaign targeting eligible children across all 23 Local Government Areas of the state to curb the spread of diphtheria.
The reactive vaccination exercise, which commenced on September 12 and will run until September 17, is being carried out through health teams deployed to communities, markets and other public places.
Flagging off the campaign at the Primary Health Centre, Badarawa, the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, said the exercise was part of the government’s efforts to protect children through vaccination, early detection and prompt response to suspected cases.
The state government is also using radio, television and social media platforms to sensitise residents and encourage parents and caregivers to take eligible children to designated vaccination centres.
The commissioner urged residents to support the exercise, stressing the importance of vaccination in preventing diphtheria and protecting children from complications associated with the disease.
Parents and caregivers were further advised to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms such as fever, weakness, sore throat, cough, catarrh, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
The campaign is expected to strengthen Kaduna’s response to diphtheria while increasing access to preventive healthcare services across the state.
