Jigawa urges media to boost immunisation awareness, tackle vaccine refusal
Jigawa State Urges Media to Boost Immunization Awareness
JIGAWA STATE—Officials in Jigawa State are urging media outlets to enhance public awareness campaigns on the importance of immunization to combat reported instances of vaccine non-compliance.
Dr. Shehu Ibrahim, the State Immunization Officer, made the appeal during a recent dialogue focused on the polio campaign and routine immunization. The one-day event was organized by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with UNICEF’s Kano Field Office.
The gathering included journalists, social media influencers, youth advocates, and members of the U-Report initiative. Participants reviewed the results of the March polio campaign and discussed strategies to bolster caregiver trust, improve vaccine acceptance, and clarify the significance of immunization.
Dr. Ibrahim reported that approximately 2.5 million children under the age of five were vaccinated during the campaign, achieving 116 percent of the target. He described this achievement as a testament to the state’s growing commitment to child health.
Despite ongoing awareness initiatives involving traditional institutions and religious leaders, some local government areas continue to report cases of vaccine refusal. Dr. Ibrahim noted that each of the state’s 27 local government areas is expected to attain at least 95 percent immunization coverage; however, some councils have fallen short of this goal.
The state recorded 5,421 instances of non-compliance during the recent campaign. Although 4,950 of these cases were resolved, 471 remain unresolved. Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of collaboration with the media in addressing misinformation, enhancing public confidence, and ensuring that every eligible child receives essential vaccinations.
Muhammad Zangina, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, representing journalists at the event, expressed a commitment to intensify public awareness regarding the critical role of vaccines in child survival. He pledged that journalists would continue to engage in the planning and execution of vaccination efforts, providing feedback to inform more effective policy making.
