Immunisation: Sultan foundation targets 80,772 zero-dose children in Zamfara

The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development has launched a major immunisation drive in Zamfara state aimed at reaching 80,772 zero-dose children across seven high burden local government areas before December 2027.

The initiative, known as Z-TRACE: Zamfara Tracking and Accountability for Equitable Immunisation, was unveiled on Wednesday, at a one-day inception meeting held at Karma Guest Inn, Gusau.

Delivering the welcome address, the Director of Programs, Sultan Foundation, Aminu Inuwa Muhammad, said Zamfara has an estimated 269,241 zero-dose children who have not received a single dose of routine vaccines.

He noted that the burden is concentrated in Gusau, Talata Mafara, Shinkafi, Zurmi, Anka, Bakura and Tsafe.

He stated that the seven LGAs were prioritised due to weak micro planning, fragmented child-level data, and entrenched non-compliance that have kept vulnerable populations out of the immunisation system.

He said local government of Anka, Bakura, Gusau, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, Tsafe and Zurmi were selected for the exercise.

He added that the strategy aligns with Gavi 5.0 Strategic Priorities and Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Development Plan III.

The director urged all stakeholders to support the project, adding that success depends on collective effort.

“These are no simple tasks. It requires the support of all stakeholders to accomplish,”he said.

He urged all the stakeholders to put hands together to reduce zero-dose and unimmunized children across the state.