3.8m Children To Be Vaccinated Against Measles Across Northern States – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says no fewer than 3.8 million children will be vaccinated against measles across four northern states.

This was disclosed by the Health Officer at UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Patrick Akor, at a press conference in Bauchi on Friday. He stated that the vaccination exercise would commence on Saturday and would last for seven days.

He said the four northern states where the integrated measles campaign will take place are Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, and Plateau.

According to him, “For the measles campaign, we have a target of 3.8 million children aged nine to 59 months across the four states.

“We have received over 4 million doses of measles vaccines, which have been supplied across these four states.”

Mr Akor further explained that UNICEF will also launch an oral vaccination campaign against polio across five northern states.

He said, “For the oral polio vaccination, we have a target of 6.8 million children aged zero to 59 months, which is under five years, across the five states of Taraba, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa.

“The total number of vaccines that have already been delivered is 7.4 million doses across these five states.

“We are aiming to ensure that no child is left behind; all children of eligible age should be reached and vaccinated.”

He called on media practitioners across the states to help spread the message to the general public, especially to people in grassroots areas.