Jigawa Vaccinates 2.6m Children Against Polio, Exceeds Target at 116% Coverage
Hussaini Ibrahim 
DUTSE, Nigeria – Jigawa State has vaccinated more than 2.6 million children under five in its latest polio immunisation campaign, surpassing its target with 116 per cent coverage, health authorities have said.
The State Health Information Officer of the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shehu Ibrahim, disclosed this during a media and stakeholders’ engagement in Dutse on Monday.
According to him, the March campaign reached children across all 27 local government areas, marking a significant milestone in efforts to keep the state polio-free.
“The number of children vaccinated in the last round conducted in March across 27 Jigawa LGAs is 2.6 million, representing 116 per cent coverage,” he said.
However, the exercise recorded 5,551 cases of vaccine non-compliance, with over 4,000 resolved through community engagement, while 472 cases remain outstanding.
Health officials identified six local government areas—Auyo, Babura, Birnin Kudu, Malam-Madori, Ringim and Gwiwa—as having weak social mobilisation, raising concerns about persistent vaccine hesitancy.
Representing the Executive Secretary of the agency, Director of Public Health Muhammad Abdullah commended health workers and partners for the campaign’s success but stressed the need for sustained efforts.
“We cannot afford to relent. Every child must be reached if we are to keep Jigawa and Nigeria polio-free,” he said.
Officials urged the media to intensify public sensitisation to counter misinformation, which continues to hinder vaccination uptake in some communities.
The campaign received technical support from UNICEF, with stakeholders emphasising that sustained collaboration is critical to eliminating polio and ensuring no child is missed.
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Korede Abdullah 