The Kaduna State government has commenced a yellow fever preventive mass vaccination campaign in the state.

Hamza Ikara-Ibrahim, the director of public health at Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, told journalists on Monday in Kaduna.

He said that the exercise would run from October 30 to November 10 in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Mr Ibrahim added that the vaccination, which aimed at providing preventive measures against yellow fever, would be conducted at health facilities and temporary fixed posts located within the communities.

“We will be conducting the vaccination in our 1,198 primary health centres, worship centres, motor parks, markets, and schools.

“The target age group for the Yellow Fever vaccination is individuals ranging from 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,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He said that the state hoped to achieve an 85 per cent success rate with the vaccination in the state.

“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 said.

He called on traditional and religious leaders to undertake more sensitisation on the vaccine so it could record success in the campaign.

 (NAN)