Kaduna State is set to commence a targeted monkeypox vaccination campaign starting August 10, 2025, focusing on Local Government Areas (LGAs) with reported outbreaks.
This was announced by Isah Yusha’u, the Health Educator at the State Primary Healthcare Board (SPHCB), during a stakeholders’ meeting on the introduction of the mpox vaccine.
Yusha’u emphasized the state’s proactive approach to curbing the spread of the disease, noting that several LGAs had already reported significant monkeypox infections.
The vaccination campaign is being supported by the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and international development partners.
“The vaccination exercise is scheduled to begin tentatively on August 10 or 11 and will last for 10 days in the selected LGAs,” Yusha’u stated. “A follow-up round will be administered four weeks later.”
🎯 Target Groups for Vaccination:
The campaign will prioritize individuals at high risk of infection, including:
- Laboratory workers handling infected specimens
- Immunocompromised individuals
- People engaged in high-risk sexual activity
To ensure effective rollout, the board is engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and medical professionals.
“This engagement aims to promote accurate information, address public concerns, and encourage widespread acceptance of the monkeypox vaccine,” Yusha’u said.
He urged residents to cooperate and take the vaccine in good faith, highlighting the board’s commitment to strategic distribution for maximum impact.
🗣️ Religious Support for Health Efforts
Abubakar Musa, Coordinator of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna North LGA, called on the public to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and support the mpox vaccination initiative.
He reiterated the role of religious leaders in dispelling misinformation and promoting public health, reaffirming JNI’s dedication to safeguarding communities through cooperation with health authorities.
