No fewer than 11,348 children under two years with zero-dose immunisation status in Kano State have been vaccinated courtesy of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Technical Advice Connect, TAConnect.
Dr Layi Jaiyeola, TAConnect’s Technical Director said at the ‘End-of-Project Dissemination Meeting’ held on Thursday in Kano that the children were vaccinated under the Accelerated Vaccination Uptake Project in 10 local government areas (LGAs) with zero-dose burdens.
The programme was organised by the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board (KSPHCMB), in collaboration with TAConnect and funded by the Pfizer Foundation.
“We initially targeted 15 LGAs, of which 10 had zero-dose cases. Immunisation coverage has improved in selected LGAs,” Jaiyeola disclosed.
The LGAs include Wudil, Dawakin Kudu, Tofa, Garun Malam, Kiru, Bebeji, Tudun Wada, Tarauni, Nassarawa and Kumbotso.
“We administered Penta, Rota and Measles vaccines to children aged between zero and 11 months,” he stated.
According to Jaiyeola, of the 11,348 vaccinated, 5,239 were males, while 6,109 were females.
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“There are many myths and misconceptions around vaccines. Our approach was to break these cultural and religious barriers,” he said.
Jaiyeola added that TAConnect had engaged 15 LGAs, tackling obstacles to immunisation and focusing on children who had received no previous vaccine doses.
He described the project as using a human-centred design approach, working closely with communities to shape effective interventions.
He said the initiative also integrated other services, targeting caregivers with health education on nutrition, hygiene and family planning.
“We provided wrap-around maternal and newborn services, ensuring caregivers received relevant health education,” he said.
Jaiyeola revealed that the organisation reached over 5,900 women with information and referred 2,500 to health centres for various services.
He said the project shows that zero-dose burden can be reduced and pledged continued support to Kano State.
Dr Muhammad-Nasiru Mahmoud, Director-General of KSPHCMB, praised TAConnect’s contribution to improving immunisation coverage in the state.
Jazuli Jafar, representing Mahmoud, said the state anticipates further collaboration with TAConnect and other partners.
Dr Sharrif Yahaya, KSPHCMB Director of Disease Control, said the government has created a budget line for routine immunisation funding.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that project accomplishments, challenges and lessons were presented during the meeting.
Representatives from WHO, Pathfinder International and Gates Foundation gave goodwill messages at the event.
NAN
