The Kano State Government says 1,339,871 women were vaccinated during the first round of the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) Campaign conducted across 18 high-risk Local Government Areas, representing an administrative coverage of 96.5 per cent.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this while speaking at the flag-off of the second round of the campaign held at the Kano Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Labaran said the first phase of the campaign targeted 1,388,396 women aged between 15 and 49 years, with vaccination services provided through more than 700 fixed and temporary vaccination posts strategically located across the 18 high-risk Local Government Areas.
He explained that of the women vaccinated, 751,461 were between the ages of 15 and 29 years, while 588,945 were aged between 30 and 49 years.
The Commissioner further stated that vaccination teams reached 10,139 of the 11,330 planned settlements, representing 90 per cent coverage, while 1,191 settlements remained unreached.
According to him, the second round of the campaign is designed to build on the gains recorded during the first phase by targeting the missed settlements, underserved communities and other hard-to-reach areas to ensure that every eligible woman receives the life-saving vaccine.
Dr. Labaran described maternal and neonatal tetanus as a deadly but completely preventable disease, stressing that vaccinating women of reproductive age not only protects mothers but also gives newborns a healthier start to life.
He said vaccines and other essential logistics had already been deployed, while vaccination teams, supervisors and community mobilisers were fully prepared for the exercise.
The Commissioner noted that vaccination services would be available at health facilities and temporary vaccination posts located in communities, markets, schools, places of worship and other public locations to improve access for eligible women.
He also disclosed that only non-serious Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) were recorded during the first round, adding that all affected persons were promptly managed in line with established vaccine safety protocols.
Dr. Labaran urged all women aged between 15 and 49 years to receive the free tetanus-containing vaccine, noting that those who received the first dose during the initial round should complete the recommended schedule to achieve stronger and longer-lasting protection.
He appealed to husbands, parents and community members to encourage eligible women to access vaccination services, while calling on Local Government Chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, women’s and youth groups, civil society organisations and the media to intensify awareness campaigns and counter misinformation about vaccines.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to strengthening routine immunisation, quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and clean delivery and cord-care practices as part of efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
He expressed appreciation to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, AFENET, CORE Group, Solina, the Gates Foundation and other development partners for their continued technical and operational support.
Dr. Labaran also commended Local Government authorities, traditional institutions, community leaders, media organisations and frontline health workers for their contributions to the success of the first phase of the campaign.
He called on all stakeholders to support the second round of the campaign, emphasizing that every woman vaccinated and every settlement reached brings Kano State closer to eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus