Niger government has launched the 2024 integrated measles and polio vaccination campaign for children under five years in the state.

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger inaugurated the campaign at the Emir Palace, Minna in commemoration of the World Polio Day on Thursday.

Mr Bago, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, emphasised the significance of vaccines in preventing diseases and saving lives.

“Vaccination is a cost-effective public health intervention, building healthier and productive societies.

“Measles and polio primarily affect children under five, causing blindness, paralysis, deafness and developmental challenges,” he said.

He urged parents, caregivers and community members to mobilise children to vaccination points.

Bago said the oral polio vaccine would be administered house-to-house, while measles vaccines would be available at health facilities.

Dr Ibrahim Dangana, commissioner for primary healthcare, described the event as a significant health calendar milestone.

He said that the World Polio Day raises global eradication awareness, adding that although Nigeria was certified polio-free in 2020, Afghanistan and Pakistan still report cases.

He commended health workers’ resilience in combating polio across Niger hard-to-reach areas, adding that the immunisation exercise covers polio and measles vaccines.

“Polio vaccines will be administered house-to-house, while measles vaccines are available at primary healthcare facilities,” he said.

In the same vein, Niger ministry for primary healthcare with support from UNICEF and WHO organised an inter-ward football competition to promote immunisation awareness in communities with low coverage.

The football competition which was held at Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna, involved 48 wards from six local government areas.

The local government areas were Tafa, Suleja, Chanchaga, Bosso, Borgu and Mashegu.

(NAN)