The assistant director of Epidemiology at the State Primary Healthcare Agency (SPHA), Dr Aminu Lawal, has identified low vaccine uptake as a major challenge threatening efforts to contain the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State. Lawal said despite the availability of vaccines and government interventions to control the disease, many parents and caregivers were still […]
The assistant director of Epidemiology at the State Primary Healthcare Agency (SPHA), Dr Aminu Lawal, has identified low vaccine uptake as a major challenge threatening efforts to contain the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State.
Lawal said despite the availability of vaccines and government interventions to control the disease, many parents and caregivers were still failing to take their children for vaccination.
He spoke during a media Dialogue on the Promotion of Nutrition Behaviours and Sensitasation on Diphtheria Outbreak, where he urged participants and residents to take advantage of the free vaccination programme provided by the government.
According to him, diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial disease that can cause severe complications when not prevented or treated promptly.
He explained that the bacteria produces toxins capable of affecting vital organs, including the heart, kidneys and lungs, while also causing paralysis and obstruction of the airways.
“The vaccine is available, but our problem is the uptake. The ultimate goal is for people to get vaccinated because diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease,” Lawal said.
He urged parents to ensure their children receive the recommended doses of diphtheria-containing vaccines through routine immunisation, stressing that completing the vaccination schedule is essential for adequate protection.
Lawal said the government had made vaccines available free of charge at health facilities, while additional support was being provided to encourage residents to access immunisation services.
He appealed to community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage parents to present their children for vaccination.
The epidemiologist said the government had also provided drugs, healthcare workers and isolation centres for the management of suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases across designated health facilities.
He, however, stressed that treatment alone could not end the outbreak without increased vaccination coverage.
Lawal also advised residents to take precautionary measures against the spread of the disease, including avoiding overcrowded places, maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, wearing face masks when appropriate and avoiding close contact with suspected cases.
He said diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets, similar to other respiratory infections, and urged anyone presenting symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, difficulty swallowing, change in voice, neck swelling and excessive drooling to seek medical attention immediately.
According to him, a thick greyish-white membrane in the throat is another important warning sign associated with diphtheria and requires urgent medical attention.
Lawal disclosed that the state had identified several local government areas as hotspots and was working to expand vaccination activities to other parts of the state.
He called on residents to cooperate with health officials and vaccination teams, warning that the presence of vaccines would have little impact if people did not utilise them.
“We cannot force anybody to vaccinate their child. We have to educate our communities and make them understand that the disease is with us and that vaccination is the ultimate way of preventing it,” he said.
Lawal further urged residents to support the government’s response by ensuring that eligible children are fully immunised, stressing that increased vaccine uptake remains critical to stopping further transmission and protecting vulnerable communities.
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