Fulani For Kogi Don Reject Measles And Polio Vaccine As State Eyes 1.9m Pikin For Immunization

Some Fulani residents for Kogi State don reject di ongoing Measles, Polio and HPV vaccination wey government dey give children and young girls under di state 2025 Integrated Immunization Campaign. Di Kogi State Government recently launch di programme to protect children and adolescents from diseases wey vaccine fit prevent. But when Vanguard visit Kabba/Bunu LGA, dem see say while indigenous people dey cooperate well, di Fulani communities still dey resist am. Di Local Government Immunisation Officer, Mr. Atyodele Raphael, talk say di matter don slow down dia target. According to am, even with interpreters, many Fulani women no gree make dem vaccinate dia pikin without permission from dia husbands wey no dey around. He say only few families dey allow am, but government don intensify awareness among Fulani groups to make more people accept before di campaign end. He also talk say di LGA dey target 66,000 children for dis immunization.

During di official flag-off for Kpata Primary Health Centre in Lokoja, Governor Usman Ododo talk say di campaign show im administration’s commitment to protect di health and future of Kogi children. He describe di exercise as a major step to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and shield girls from cervical cancer through di HPV vaccine. Ododo talk say di vaccines free, safe and effecti ve, and no child suppose miss out. He hail UNICEF and health workers for dia role and urge parents and community leaders to support di movement. Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, Commissioner for Health, commend di governor for improving primary healthcare, while Dr. Mu’azu Musa Omeiza, Executive Director of di State Primary Health Care Development Agency, reveal say di campaign go cover 1.9 million children aged nine months to 14 years, and e go run from October 6 to 15, with support from UNICEF and other partners.