Hussaini Ibrahim 
BAUCHI, Nigeria – Bauchi State begins the rollout of a malaria vaccine targeting 250,000 children, marking a major step in efforts to reduce child mortality linked to the disease.
Health authorities say the vaccine will be administered to children aged between five and 21 months under the state’s routine immunisation programme.
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, announces the rollout on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Bauchi.
He urges parents and caregivers to ensure eligible children receive the vaccine.
“We call on parents to ensure that their children receive the malaria vaccine. This is an important intervention that will help protect them from a disease that continues to claim many young lives,” Mohammed says.
The vaccines are supplied by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
An NPHCDA representative, Dr Kamal Musa, explains that the immunisation requires four doses.
“The first dose will be given at five months, followed by two additional doses at four-week intervals, while the final dose will be administered at 15 months,” Musa says.
Health officials say Nigeria has committed significant resources to procure the vaccine because malaria remains one of the country’s leading causes of child mortality.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Health Educator Ribado Mohammed calls on journalists, civil society groups and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns.
“The success of this initiative depends on collective action to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated,” he says.
Authorities say the programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare and reduce malaria burden among Nigerian children.
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Chukwu Obinna 