The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency on Wednesday says it has distributed routine vaccines to 1,168 health facilities across the state.
The Director of Disease Control in the agency, Hamza Ikara announced this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Ikara said the vaccines would cover the first quarter of the year.
“It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection of our children.
“Vaccines are among the greatest advances in global health and development.
“Vaccines have safely reduced the scourge of diseases like polio, measles and smallpox, helping children grow up healthy and happy,” he said.
Ikara says vaccines save more than five lives every minute, preventing up to three million deaths a year, even before the arrival of COVID-19.
“If you or your child misses a vaccine, contact Primary Health Center for a catch up,” he said.
According to the director, vaccinated children perform better at school, with economic benefits that ripple across their communities.
“Today, vaccines are estimated to be one of the most cost effective means of advancing global welfare,’’ Ikara said.
He said that the agency has also embarked on orientation of 8,138 community volunteers across the state for demand creation and primary health centres services.
Ikara urged parents to avail themselves of the services in the health centres nearest to them as it was free.
He thanked health partners including World Health Organisation, Health Strengthen Development Foundation, Lafiya programme, Bill and Melinda Gates, traditional and religious leaders, and 255 ward development committees for their support.
