Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Save the Children, in partnership with GSK, convened an engagement meeting on Thursday with the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization to address the persistent issue of zero-dose and under-immunized children in Nigeria.
According to Save the Children, Kano State has the highest number of zero-dose immunization cases in Nigeria, with 15 local government areas (LGAs) affected.
Ms. Taiwo Folake, Coordinator of the Save the Children International Boost Project, highlighted these concerns during a media and civil society organization (CSO) dialogue aimed at fostering collaboration to eliminate zero-dose immunization in affected LGAs.
She explained that the project focuses on reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children and is currently being implemented in two states—Kano and Lagos. Within these states, efforts are concentrated in two high-burden LGAs: Ungogo and Gezawa in Kano State.
“Out of 100 LGAs identified in Nigeria with high zero-dose and under-immunization rates, 15 are in Kano. We are prioritizing the two most affected areas,” Folake stated.
She emphasized the media’s influential role in shaping public opinion and driving community engagement, calling their involvement crucial to the project’s success.
The initiative targets collaboration with state and local governments, as well as communities, to encourage caregivers to immunize their children and reintegrate those who have dropped out of vaccination programs.
Dr. Itunu Dave-Agboola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for the Boost Project, outlined three key objectives: improving domestic resource mobilization for immunization funding, strengthening governance and leadership in immunization efforts, and enhancing community engagement through traditional and religious institutions.
“We aim to develop a Kano State-specific immunization policy to improve planning, funding allocation, and accountability. Community leaders play a vital role in fostering trust and acceptance of immunization,” Fagbola added.
Salisu Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Kano CoP on Immunization, reiterated the coalition’s commitment to working with stakeholders to reduce the number of high-burden LGAs and unimmunized children.
He dismissed misconceptions about immunization safety, stressing that vaccines are medically proven to be safe. Yusuf also pledged intensified sensitization campaigns through media outreach, house-to-house visits, and community meetings to improve public understanding of immunization benefits and expectations.
