The Yobe State Government sets to launch a state-wide Yellow Fever mass vaccination campaign on Thursday, November 12, 2024.
This initiative, a joint effort between the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Board (SPHCB), the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), and various development partners, will run for 12 days across all 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
In a statement released by Dr. Babagana Kundi Machina, Executive Secretary of the SPHCB, the campaign aims to vaccinate 85% of the target population, which includes individuals aged 9 months to 44 years.
The Yellow Fever vaccine, along with other routine immunizations, will be provided at health facilities and designated vaccination sites within local communities.
“Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe liver damage and poses a significant public health risk,” the statement said.
“It affects individuals of all ages, with more than 200,000 cases and 10,000 deaths reported globally each year. This preventable disease highlights the urgent need for this vaccination campaign,” the statement continued.
To ensure the campaign’s success, the state’s social mobilisation and community engagement committee will lead efforts to raise awareness and ensure all eligible individuals receive the vaccine.
Extensive advocacy and sensitisation activities will be carried out to engage stakeholders and educate the public about the importance of the vaccine.
A training workshop was held recently to equip the committee members with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective community outreach.
Dr. Umar Chiromari, Director of Immunisation and Disease Control, emphasized the importance of meeting vaccination targets, not only for Yellow Fever but also for Measles, Polio, and HPV vaccines.
Other key speakers at the workshop, including Ali Musa Yawale, Director of Information at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, and Gabriel Dan Azare from UNICEF, also stressed the significance of achieving the set goals and objectives of the vaccination campaign.
