Adamawa conducts mop-up vaccination for zero-dose, under-immunised children
Adamawa State Launches Compensatory Immunization Program for Children
Authorities in Adamawa State have initiated a compensatory immunization program aimed at vaccinating infants who missed their routine childhood immunizations due to various challenges.
The initiative is being conducted through a partnership between state officials and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). They are currently identifying eligible children and administering vaccines that were previously missed.
This immunization effort, funded by the Republic of Korea, involves trained vaccinators and community mobilizers who are visiting local areas to reach both zero-dose children—those who have never received a vaccine since birth—and under-immunized children who have not completed their vaccination schedules.
“Zero-dose children who have not received their first vaccine dose and are over 11 months old are the primary focus of this exercise,” said Patrick Akor, UNICEF Health Officer for the Bauchi Field Office. He emphasized the importance of targeting under-vaccinated children as well, particularly in communities affected by insecurity.
Joseph Timothy, a project consultant for Yola South Local Government Area, explained the strategies used to reach these children. “We employ mobilizers, also known as defaulter trackers, who are familiar with the communities. They visit households to encourage parents to take their children to the nearest clinic or arrange for our vaccinators to come directly to them,” Timothy said.
Umar Bahuli, the Adamawa State Immunization Officer, reported that the program has already yielded significant results in areas previously identified as having low routine immunization coverage.
