Traditional and religious leaders in Gezawa Local Government Area (LGA) have pledged strong support to accelerate routine immunization and eliminate the challenge of “zero-dose” children in Kano State.
This critical commitment was secured during a high-level advocacy visit to the District Head of Gezawa by Save the Children International (SCI) under its GSK-funded Improving Immunization in Nigeria (BOOST) Project in collaboration with the Kano State Community of Practice (KN-CoP).
The strategic engagement aims to strengthen local community ownership of healthcare services and accelerate the domestication of a state-specific immunization policy in Kano.
During the advocacy session, representatives from the BOOST Project emphasized the urgent need to bridge immunization gaps, pointing out that community leadership is the most effective weapon against vaccine preventable diseases.
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Key highlights of the partnership include:
- Targeting Zero-Dose Children: Direct mobilization tracking to reach children who have never received a single dose of routine vaccines.
- Leveraging Local Influence: Utilizing the respected voices of traditional and religious institutions to dismantle vaccine hesitancy and dispel myths.
- Policy Domestication: Aligning grassroots efforts with the upcoming Kano State immunization policy framework to ensure sustainable funding and healthcare delivery.
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The District Head, alongside present religious scholars, reassured the delegation of their unwavering readiness to champion the sensitization of parents and caregivers across all wards in Gezawa.
