The Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State is aiming to immunise around 268,000 children under five during the ongoing December 2025 vaccination exercise.
Local Government Immunisation Officer, Mr Ashiru Muazu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the campaign had recorded encouraging progress. He said he was confident that the full target would be reached before the exercise ends.
Muazu acknowledged that the exercise initially faced challenges due to vaccine shortages in some communities but confirmed that additional doses had since been supplied to address the shortfall. He added that teams were tracing caregivers who had stopped attending routine appointments to ensure full vaccination coverage.
He explained that health officials would assess the outcome of the campaign to determine whether a mop-up exercise would be required.
Muazu said 180 vaccination teams were administering oral polio vaccines throughout the area, supported by 183 house-to-house teams. Attendance at key fixed posts such as Andaza, Kachi and Kudai health centres had been described as highly encouraging.
Beneficiaries also welcomed the integration of the immunisation programme with the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week. Pregnant woman Uwani Bala said she received screening and medication free of charge and appealed for continued government support for free healthcare.
NAN further reported that the December campaign included outreach to places of worship to ensure no eligible child was left out. The statewide exercise, which commenced on Sunday, 7 December, is expected to end on Friday, 12 December, across all 27 LGAs.
