The initiative, aimed at curbing the spread of the virus and safeguarding public health, was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday. Speaking at the session, SPHCB Health Educator, Isah Yusha’u, disclosed that the state had recorded a notable number of Mpox cases across several LGAs, prompting the need for immediate action.
According to Yusha’u, the vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin tentatively on August 10 or 11 and will run for ten days. A follow-up round of vaccinations is expected to take place four weeks later. The campaign will prioritise individuals identified as being at higher risk of contracting the virus. These include laboratory personnel who may have handled infected specimens, individuals with weakened immune systems, and people with high-risk sexual behaviours.
“This is a strategic and proactive step to ensure the health and safety of Kaduna residents,” Yusha’u stated. “We are not only focusing on delivering the vaccine but also on building public trust and addressing misinformation through community engagement.”
To that end, the board is partnering with traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and health institutions to promote awareness and acceptance of the vaccine. Yusha’u emphasised that collaboration with community gatekeepers is essential to the success of the programme.
“We are urging the public to embrace this vaccination drive in good faith. The distribution will be carefully coordinated to ensure it reaches those who need it most,” he added.
The vaccination campaign is part of a broader national response backed by the Federal Government, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and development partners. It reflects a shift toward targeted interventions in regions where the disease burden is highest.
Also speaking at the meeting was Abubakar Musa, Coordinator of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna North LGA. Musa reminded participants of the critical role religious leaders played during the COVID-19 pandemic in combating misinformation and promoting safety measures. He reaffirmed JNI’s commitment to working with health authorities to support the Mpox vaccination effort, noting that public health and religious practices must continue to go hand-in-hand.
Participants at the stakeholders' meeting included representatives from healthcare institutions, trade unions, media organisations, social mobilisation teams, and religious bodies—all pledging their support for the upcoming vaccination exercise.
With preparations underway, Kaduna State’s health authorities are hopeful that the upcoming campaign will mark a decisive step in managing the outbreak and preventing further spread of Mpox within the state.