The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board (SPHCB) has announced plans to commence a monkeypox vaccination campaign across select Local Government Areas (LGAs) experiencing outbreaks.
This was revealed by the Board’s Health Educator, Isah Yusha’u, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held on Wednesday to discuss the rollout of the monkeypox vaccine in the state.
Yusha’u explained that the campaign is a proactive step to curb the spread of the virus and protect public health. He noted that several LGAs have recorded a significant number of monkeypox cases, prompting urgent action.
He added that the Federal Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and in collaboration with development partners, has approved a targeted vaccination campaign for high-risk populations.
“The vaccination exercise is tentatively scheduled to begin on August 10 or 11 and will run for 10 days in the selected areas,” Yusha’u said. “A second phase will follow four weeks later.”
The campaign will prioritize high-risk groups, including laboratory personnel who may have been exposed to infected samples, individuals with weakened immune systems, and people with high-risk sexual behaviours.
To ensure widespread acceptance and understanding, the SPHCB is partnering with traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and healthcare institutions.
“We are actively engaging key community stakeholders to dispel myths, share accurate information, and encourage public participation in the vaccination effort,” Yusha’u emphasized. He urged residents to receive the vaccine in good faith, assuring that distribution would be carefully planned to achieve maximum coverage and effectiveness.
Also speaking at the event, Abubakar Musa, Coordinator of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna North LGA, encouraged the public to support the vaccination initiative. Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Musa highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders in public health education and pledged JNI’s support in promoting health while upholding religious values.
Participants at the meeting included healthcare workers, religious and traditional leaders, social mobilization officers, trade union representatives, and members of the media.
