Kano State has been identified as the epicenter of Nigeria’s zero-dose crisis, with a staggering 250,000 children missing out on routine immunization every year, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UNICEF’s Kano Field Office Chief, Rahama Farah, made this shocking revelation over the weekend in Kaduna during an interactive session with local government chairmen, district heads, and stakeholders. The meeting focused on sustaining the gains of polio eradication, routine immunization, and primary healthcare services in the state.
Farah warned that the increasing number of unvaccinated children poses a severe threat to both the lives of these children and the health of the entire state. He emphasized that Kano has the highest number of zero-dose children in Nigeria, meaning these children have never received a single vaccine, leaving them vulnerable to deadly but preventable diseases.
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The situation is further compounded by the rising cases of variant poliovirus in the state. Statistics reveal a disturbing trend: in 2022, Kano recorded six cases of variant poliovirus; this number jumped to 27 in 2023 and has already reached 29 cases in 2024. Farah described this increase as a critical wake-up call, urging stakeholders to take immediate action to protect the next generation.
Calling for a stronger commitment from local government chairmen and traditional leaders, Farah stressed the urgent need for functional and well-funded immunization task forces across all 44 local government areas. He reassured the public that vaccines are safe, effective, and crucial for safeguarding children’s health.
Kano State’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery. He highlighted that the current administration has made significant progress in revitalizing the health sector, with a strong focus on vaccination campaigns, polio eradication, and reducing maternal mortality rates.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Nasiru Mohammed, Director General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, outlined the workshop’s objectives: updating stakeholders on the state’s health indices, addressing the zero-dose crisis, strengthening immunization strategies, and defining the responsibilities of key players in tackling this public health emergency.
With Kano at the forefront of Nigeria’s vaccination crisis, experts warn that urgent and sustained action is needed to prevent a full-blown health disaster. The question remains: will stakeholders rise to the challenge and protect the future of Kano’s children?
