UNICEF, in collaboration with the Taraba government, has launched an integrated immunisation programme for over one million children against life-threatening diseases.

Nuzhat Rafique, the chief of the UNICEF office in Bauchi, disclosed this at the flag-off of the polio vaccination campaign in Jalingo.

Ms Rafique emphasised the importance of vaccinating every child between the ages of zero to five years, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

She said the immunisation campaign was aimed at ensuring that polio and other life-threatening diseases were eradicated in Taraba.

“Today is very important to every child in Taraba, as polio is one of the diseases that needs to be curbed, and this is very possible by polio vaccination.

“There are more than one million children in Taraba and each of them needs to have this vaccine. My special request for you fathers and mothers is that you avail your children for this vaccination.

“You need to do this because this is the last support for the polio vaccine, and the whole world is looking at Nigeria for the eradication of polio,” she said.

Jauro Hassan, Taraba chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and chairman of the Jalingo LGA, commended the robust relationship between UNICEF and the Taraba government.

He lauded Governor Agbu Kefas for consistently releasing counterpart funds promptly to facilitate a comprehensive vaccination of children.

The ALGON chairman pledged to mobilise other local government chairpersons to support the exercise. Mr Hassan charged parents to avail their children of vaccination.

Nuhu Tukura, the executive secretary of Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, thanked UNICEF and other partners for their constant support for Taraba children.

Mr Tukura explained that the integrated immunisation initiative combines routine vaccinations with other essential health interventions, including vitamin A supplementation, deworming, nutrition and health education.

According to him, the initiative is to improve child survival rates and reduce outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

(NAN)