About 4,859,181 children have been vaccinated against diphtheria disease in the country.

Out of the number, a total of 1,692,762 children, ranging from six months to four years of age were administered with the pentavalent vaccine, which is a vital safeguard against diphtheria disease, while 3,166,419 children, aged four to 14 years, received the Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) aimed at strengthening safeguards from the disease among children and teenagers.

Consequently, the Federal government has appealed to the media, traditional and religious leaders to raise more awareness about the importance of immunisation, and the grave consequences of neglecting it to ensure that every eligible individual receives the vaccine.

Speaking at the media briefing by the National Diphtheria Emergency Task Team, yesterday, in Abuja, co-chair of the team and the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, noted that the ongoing vaccination phase has made a tangible difference in protecting lives, adding that the country is already witnessing a consistent decline in cases of diphtheria disease.

He said: “The epicentre of this epidemic, Kano State, has exemplified our commitment to this cause, ensuring the immunisation of 1,111,310 children with Td vaccines and 544,737 children with Pentavalent vaccines in this phase two. Katsina, another hot spot in this outbreak, has vaccinated 403,252 children with Td vaccines and 255,075 children with Pentavalent vaccines.”