The Zamfara Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with development partners, has mobilised 1,997 vaccination teams for the November integrated polio campaign across all local councils.

Murtala Salahudeen, incident manager of the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, disclosed this on Saturday in Gusau during a media dialogue organised to sensitise journalists to the upcoming integrated polio campaign.

The dialogue was convened by the board, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, to strengthen communication about the scheduled immunisation activities.

According to Mr Salahudeen, the mobilised teams will vaccinate children against measles, rubella and several other childhood killer diseases, ensuring comprehensive coverage across identified settlements and hard-to-reach communities throughout Zamfara.

He explained that each of the 1,997 vaccination teams consisted of approximately 6,000 personnel, including vaccinators, recorders, supervisors and influential community leaders supporting mobilisation efforts.

Mr Salahudeen noted that all personnel received training on vaccination protocols and interpersonal communication skills to enhance outreach effectiveness, ensuring every eligible child in the state successfully received lifesaving routine immunisation vaccines.

He further disclosed that the November campaign aimed to reach approximately 1.2 million children with essential immunisation doses, targeting both urban and rural communities across the entire state.

The executive secretary of the board, Hussaini Yakubu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery and improving access to quality immunisation services across the state.

Mr Yakubu reiterated Governor Dauda Lawal’s strong dedication to ensuring every eligible child in Zamfara received complete vaccination against preventable diseases, noting intensified community sensitisation and enlightenment efforts across the state.

He stated that traditional, religious and community leaders had been effectively engaged to support mobilisation activities, encouraging caregivers to embrace vaccination and reject misinformation that discouraged routine immunisation participation.

He acknowledged partners, including UNICEF, WHO, e-Health, Sultan Foundation, Solina and Chigagari Foundation, for their continued contributions toward ensuring successful immunisation campaigns throughout Zamfara.

Mr Yakubu also commended media organisations for sustained support in public enlightenment, noting their essential role in promoting awareness on immunisation campaigns against polio and other preventable childhood diseases.

(NAN)