Bauchi deploys 2,261 vaccination teams for yellow fever campaign

The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (BSPHDA) said that 2,261 immunization teams had been deployed to communities across the state for the Mass Yellow Fever Immunisation campaign.

Mr Bakoji Ahmed, State Immunisation Officer of the agency, said this during an orientation meeting with journalists in Bauchi on Friday.

Ahmed said each team comprised eight personnel, including town carriers and mobilisation officers.

He said the agency would also deploy the vaccine to all the 20 Local Government Councils’ cold stores in the state.

He explained that all the 27 tertiary health facilities would be referral centers during the 10-day exercise.

“The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency has 1,968 teams while the state agency has 293 teams for the mass Yellow fever campaign.

“The agency is deploying the vaccines to all the local government areas to ensure that the vaccine remains potent.

“The vaccine is for life, therefore those that recently received the yellow fever vaccine should not go for it,” he said.

In his contribution, Mr Seyi Nubi, Communication for Development (C4D), UNICEF Bauchi office, said the immunisation exercise would observe all the COVID-19 protocol.

According to him, the immunisation will also be conducted at state borders among other fixed posts.

During the meeting, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said in 2020, 30 persons were infected with yellow fever in Ganjuwa Local Government Council, while 10 died of the disease.

He said research had shown that 50 per cent of children in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa LGAs were yet to be immunised against yellow fever.

“Research has shown that 50 per cent of children in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa LGA were not immunised against the yellow fever at nine months because of the parents’ apathy and tendency to forget,” said Mohammed.

It was stated that Bauchi state will conduct a mass vaccination to seven million people from Jan. 18th to Jan. 27.