CHAN and UNICEF raise concern over zero dose Children in Kirfi LG.

BY Ibrahim Musa:

Residents of Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been urged to ensure that their children receive all recommended routine immunisation doses from birth to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases.

The call was made by the Coordinator of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN), Mr Adekunle, in collaboration with UNICEF, during a confirmation meeting on zero dose and under immunised children in the area.

Mr Adekunle identified Kirfi Local Government as one of the areas facing challenges with children who have either never received routine vaccines or have not completed their recommended immunisation schedules.

He called for increased community participation to improve immunisation coverage.

He disclosed that only three of the local government’s 13 wards, Kwagal, Baba and Beni had complied with the immunisation process, stressing the need for intensified awareness and community engagement to reach more eligible children.

The coordinator urged parents and caregivers to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules and ensure that their children access appropriate healthcare services.

Speaking at the meeting, Sule Usman, and Malam Adamu Muhammad, appealed to households to allow women and children to access immunisation services at health facilities.

They further called for intensified public awareness campaigns at social gatherings, places of worship and other community meeting points to encourage parents and caregivers to embrace routine immunisation.

The participants stressed that coordinated efforts by community leaders, healthcare workers and other stakeholders were essential to ensuring that every eligible child receives the recommended vaccines and is protected against preventable diseases.

Participants at the meeting, including traditional and religious leaders, Ward Development Committee members, media representatives and school teachers, also emphasised the importance of community involvement in addressing immunisation gaps.