Katsina State has kicked off a major polio vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 2.8 million children under five across 361 wards, as UNICEF urged stronger media involvement and community mobilisation to ensure no child is missed in the statewide exercise.
Speaking at the launch in Katsina, Mr. Rahama M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, praised the state for its impressive 90 percent performance in recent rounds and the drastic reduction of confirmed paralysis cases—limited to Danmusa LGA. He said UNICEF’s renewed engagement with journalists reflects their crucial role in shaping public trust and helping parents understand the life-saving value of the vaccine.
Farah appealed to radio stations, especially those covering remote communities, to ramp up sensitisation campaigns, noting that radio remains the most trusted communication channel for rural families. He also reminded parents that routine immunisation is available every day at primary health centres and should be fully utilised.
While noting that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has made major breakthroughs, Farah warned that polio remains “a borderless threat,” stressing that any lingering case poses a risk to all states. He urged Katsina to sustain at least 95 percent vaccination coverage and ensure timely release of local government funds to keep field teams active.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Mukhtar Mahmud reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding children. He disclosed that the current campaign includes added child and maternal health services such as vitamin A supplements, deworming tablets, azithromycin, routine immunisation, and support for pregnant women. Door-to-door, fixed post and mobile teams have already been deployed across all LGAs.
UNICEF and state officials appealed to parents to complete all required vaccine doses for children aged 0–15 months, emphasising that full immunisation remains the strongest shield against polio. LGAs were encouraged to intensify community mobilization to dispel misinformation and reassure families of the vaccine’s safety.
With over 3,700 personnel—including nearly 2,000 house-to-house and special teams—the exercise is covering markets, motor parks, remote villages, and hard-to-reach settlements. Development partners and state authorities were commended for sustained investment in logistics, training and community health systems.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Ambassador Aminu Muhammad, National Consultant and State Polio Lead at the EOC Katsina, and Dr. Sulaiman Haladu of the Polio Emergency Programme, both stressing the need for cooperation among parents, traditional leaders and local councils to ensure no child is left behind.
Vaccination teams have since begun trekking into remote communities, reinforcing Katsina’s resolve to stamp out polio once and for all.
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