Kaduna to begin monkeypox vaccination in high-risk areas
The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board has announced a plan to launch a monkeypox vaccination campaign in specific local government areas of the state that have been affected by an outbreak.
Isah Yusha’u, a Health Educator at the SPHCB, made the announcement on Wednesday during a stakeholder meeting about the introduction of the monkeypox vaccine in Kaduna. Yusha’u explained that the board is taking proactive steps to stop the spread of the disease and protect the health of residents, noting that several LGAs in the state have reported a high number of monkeypox cases.
In response, the Federal Government, in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other development partners, has approved “reactive vaccination for high-risk groups.”
“The vaccination exercise is scheduled to begin tentatively on Aug. 10 or 11, and will run for 10 days in the selected LGAs,” Yusha’u said, adding that “A second round of vaccinations will follow four weeks later.”
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The vaccine will be prioritised for high-risk individuals, including:
* Laboratory personnel who may have handled infected specimens
* People with compromised immune systems
* Individuals with high-risk sexual behavior
Yusha’u emphasised the importance of community engagement to ensure the campaign’s success. “To ensure the success of this vaccination drive, we are engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and medical institutions.
This is to provide accurate information, address concerns, and encourage public acceptance of the vaccine,” he said. He urged the public to accept the vaccine in good faith, assuring them that its distribution would be “strategic and targeted to ensure maximum impact.”
Abubakar Musa, the Coordinator of Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Kaduna North LGA, also addressed attendees. Citing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, he called on the public to support the monkeypox vaccination effort.
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Musa highlighted JNI’s role in fighting misinformation and promoting safety protocols during the pandemic, and he reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting public health initiatives.
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