The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Taraba Government, has commenced integrated immunisation of more than one million children against life-threatening diseases.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, disclosed the flag-off of the polio vaccination campaign in Jalingo.
Rafique emphasised the importance of vaccinating every child between the ages of 0 to 5 years, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
She said the immunisation campaign was aimed at ensuring that polio and other life-threatening diseases were eradicated in Taraba.
Dr Jauro Hassan, Taraba Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and chairman of the Jalingo Local Government Area, commended the robust relationship between UNICEF and the Taraba government.
He lauded Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba for consistently releasing counterpart funds promptly to facilitate a comprehensive vaccination of children.
The ALGON chairman pledged to mobilise other local government chairpersons to support the exercise.
Hassan charged parents to vaccinate their children.
Dr Nuhu Tukura, the Executive Secretary of Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, thanked UNICEF and other partners for their constant support for Taraba children.
Tukura explained that the integrated immunisation initiative combines routine vaccinations with other essential health interventions, including vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition and health education.
According to him, the initiative is to improve child survival rates and reduce outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
