COVID-19: Bauchi moves to boost vaccine uptake

Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA), says it will develop strategies to mobilise participation and promote uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in the state.

Dr Rilwan Mohammed, Executive Secretary of the agency, stated this in an interview on Thursday in Bauchi.

Mohammed said the agency had met with relevant stakeholders to fashion out strategies towards addressing myths and misconceptions about the vaccine as well as encourage uptake in the state.

He said the agency also embarked on awareness creation activities in collaboration with the USAID supported project Breakthrough Action Nigeria.

According to him, Bauchi is ranked 25th representing 7.1 per cent in the COVID-19 vaccination index of the National Center for Disease (NCDC), stressing that the trend must be reversed.

Also speaking, Mr Dayyabu Chiroma, Commissioner for Information, called on professional organisations to champion the campaign to promote participation in the vaccination exercise at the grassroots.

Chiroma, who doubled as the chairman, COVID-19 Risk Communications Component, attributed the misconception about the vaccine to the inability to ensure proper engagement of professional bodies in the campaign.

“Even if they are consulted, there is poor communication management within, hence we shall all work towards addressing any kind of misconceptions about the vaccine,” he said.

He said that such engagement would enhance uptake among the unvaccinated in the state.

According to statistics of the agency, the state has about 88,938 doses of vaccines in stock including AstraZeneca, Madorner and Pfizer-BioNTech.