More than 16,000 children diagnosed with diphtheria in Kano State since 2022 had never received any vaccination against the disease, raising fresh concerns over the spread of the preventable infection.
The Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Muhammad Abbas, disclosed this while highlighting the state’s ongoing battle with diphtheria and the need to strengthen routine immunisation.
According to Abbas, more than 32,000 confirmed diphtheria cases have been recorded in the state since 2022. He said nearly half of those affected were children who had received no vaccination against diphtheria.
“The disheartening thing is this: over 16,000, close to 17,000, are zero-dose children. That means these are children who have never been vaccinated at all. Zero. No vaccination,” Abbas said.
He described the situation as a major public health crisis, warning that the high number of zero-dose children was leaving many young people vulnerable to a disease that can largely be prevented through vaccination.
The official stressed the importance of increasing vaccination coverage, particularly among children who have missed routine immunisation, to reduce the risk of severe illness and deaths associated with diphtheria.
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the throat and breathing and may become life-threatening when not treated promptly. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways of preventing the disease.
The disclosure has renewed calls for stronger immunisation campaigns, improved disease surveillance and greater awareness among parents and caregivers about the importance of completing routine childhood vaccinations.
ALSO READ:UBEC Makes Fresh Push for Children Left Behind
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
