Jigawa State is urging the media to step up public‑awareness campaigns on immunisation to eradicate non‑compliance across the region. The appeal was made by State Immunisation Officer Dr Shehu Ibrahim during a one‑day mass‑mobilisation dialogue on the polio campaign and routine vaccination, organised by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with UNICEF’s Kano field office.
The event convened journalists, social‑media influencers, youth advocates and U‑Reporters to assess the outcomes of the March polio drive and to discuss ways to boost caregivers’ confidence, vaccine acceptance and public understanding of immunisation’s benefits. Dr Ibrahim reported that the latest campaign immunised roughly 2.5 million children under five, achieving 116 % of the target and signalling a growing commitment to child health in Jigawa.
Despite sustained outreach involving media, traditional institutions and religious leaders, the state still recorded instances of vaccine refusal in several local government areas (LGAs). Each of the 27 LGAs is expected to attain at least 95 % coverage, but some fell short of the benchmark. The exercise logged 5,421 cases of non‑compliance; 4,950 have been resolved, leaving 471 pending.
Dr Ibrahim stressed that stronger collaboration with the media is essential to counter misinformation, build public confidence and ensure that every eligible child receives life‑saving vaccines. “Effective communication can bridge the gap between health officials and communities, reducing hesitancy and improving uptake,” he said.
Representing the journalists present, Muhammad Zangina, chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, pledged to intensify public enlightenment on the importance of vaccination for child survival. He affirmed that media professionals will continue to support the planning and execution of immunisation programmes, providing demand‑generation activities and feedback to inform policy.
The call for enhanced media engagement aligns with broader national efforts to eliminate polio and improve routine immunisation coverage. As Jigawa moves toward its goal of universal child vaccination, sustained partnership between health authorities, media outlets and community leaders will be critical to addressing the remaining pockets of resistance and achieving the targeted 95 % coverage across all LGAs.
