Immunization: Kaduna Bags Best Performing State Award

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has given Kaduna state the award of the best performing state in routine immunization in the North West geopolitical zone in 2021.

The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaibu, said that the award is meant to recognize Kaduna state’s efforts in vaccinating children from preventable diseases and Covid-19.

The Acting Governor of Kaduna state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, received the award on behalf of the state during the 2022 Immunization Performance Award Ceremony which held at the Ladi Kwali hall of Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.

Fourteen other states bagged various awards at the ceremony, which was organized to mark the 2022 African Vaccination Week (AVW) and Nigeria’s third year anniversary of Post Wild Virus Free Certification.

The states include Kaduna, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Ebonyi, Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Cross River, Ogun, Abia, Nasarawa, Kano and Yobe.

The Executive Director noted that the 15 states distinguished themselves with the highest quality and best practices in providing technical and programmatic support to Nigerians.

Dr. Faisal Shuaibu who commended the states, noted that their successes were as a result of the political leadership given by state governors and the collaboration of different stakeholders such as the traditional institutions, religious leaders and the commitment of health workers.

The slogan of this year’s edition of AVW is “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”, while Nigeria adopted the theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”.

The goal of the AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the African region, by increasing awareness that every person (particularly every child and woman), needs and has the right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

It aims at keeping immunization high on the national and regional agenda through advocacy and partnerships and promotes the delivery of other high-impact lifesaving interventions.

The AVW provides opportunities for countries to strengthen the delivery of immunization services and draws attention to the progress made towards ensuring access to basic life-saving vaccination.