Kaduna begins yellow fever vaccination, targets over 10m residents

The Kaduna government has commenced a yellow fever vaccination campaign across the 23 LGAs in the state.

Hamza Ibrahim, director of public health at Kaduna State Primary HealthCare Development Agency, said over 10 million residents are targeted with the vaccine.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),  yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Ibrahim said the government intends to achieve an 85 percent vaccination level, adding that the exercise would run from October 30 to November 10.

 “We will be conducting the vaccination in our 1,198 primary health centres, worship centres, motor parks, markets and schools,” NAN quoted Ibrahim as saying.

“The target age group for the Yellow Fever vaccination are individuals ranging from age nine months to 44 years. Yellow fever is a silent killer disease.

“People don’t often go for routine checks to know about the disease, and that’s why we are giving the vaccine as prevention.

“We just started today and hope to achieve 85 per cent of the population, which is over 10 million persons.

“I urge residents to accept the vaccine as it is free and safe.

“Let no one deceive you that the vaccine is not safe and then you turn down the vaccine. I urge you all to accept the vaccine as it is very free and safe.”

The director urged traditional and religious leaders in the state to create more awareness of the vaccine to achieve success.