Katsina State Launches Campaign to Vaccinate 2.7 Million Children Against Polio

The Katsina State Government has begun a new campaign to vaccinate about 2.7 million children aged 0 to 59 months against polio. The vaccination drive will start on Saturday, November 7, 2026, and will take place across 28 Local Government Areas, covering nearly 300 wards and over 17,000 settlements.

Dr. Mukhtar Mahmud, the State Health Educator and Health Promotion Officer, announced the campaign during a meeting aimed at raising public awareness. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that no eligible child is overlooked during this effort.

This vaccination campaign will be carried out in collaboration with various partners and is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate polio in the region. However, six Local Government Areas, including Bindawa and Dutsi, will not participate in this round.

To reach every child, the vaccination teams will use several methods. These include house-to-house visits, special teams, and fixed vaccination posts. Children will receive different types of vaccines, including the novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 and the bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine.

The campaign will last for several days, featuring two days of directly observed vaccinations, followed by house-to-house visits and additional follow-up days to catch any missed children. Alongside the polio vaccine, other essential health services will be offered as part of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.

Dr. Mahmud urged the community, including journalists and social media influencers, to help spread accurate information about the vaccines. He warned that misinformation can lead to fear and hesitation among families regarding vaccination.

Stakeholders also discussed past vaccination campaigns to identify successes and challenges, agreeing on strategies to improve the upcoming campaign’s effectiveness.