The Kwara State Government has officially announced the commencement of the third phase of its ‘Big Catch-Up’ vaccination campaign, targeting children between the ages of two and five. The initiative is set to begin on April 12 and will run through to April 17, 2025. The campaign is part of ongoing efforts to address immunisation gaps and ensure that all eligible children in the state are fully vaccinated.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made the announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday in Ilorin. Dr. Elelu, represented by Rukayat Ayodeji, the Director of Community Health Services, explained that the ‘Big Catch-Up’ campaign is designed to target children who have missed scheduled vaccinations, including those considered zero-dose, or who have not received any immunisation at all.
According to the agency, the vaccination drive is focused on bridging the existing immunisation coverage gap and bolstering routine immunisation efforts across the state. The drive is expected to enhance the protection of children from preventable diseases such as measles, polio, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Dr. Elelu also pointed out that the campaign will be concentrated in three low-performing local government areas (LGAs) — Ifelodun, Baruten, and Ilorin East — where immunisation rates have been historically low.
Dupe Shittu, the State Mobilisation Officer for the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, also addressed the meeting, providing further details about the upcoming National Immunisation Plus Days campaign. She revealed that this national campaign, aimed at boosting immunity against poliomyelitis, will take place from April 26 to 29, 2025. During this period, health workers and volunteers will carry out house-to-house vaccination, as well as administer vaccines at religious centres, schools, and other public spaces. The goal of this campaign is to prevent polio outbreaks and ensure that all children in the state are vaccinated against the virus.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) consultant for the ‘Big Catch-Up’ initiative, Isiaka Jimoh, also weighed in on the proceedings, urging all stakeholders to take ownership of the programme and assist in educating local communities about the importance of vaccination. He stressed that long-term strategies for immunisation are crucial in reaching under-immunised children, thereby improving public health outcomes in Kwara State.
The Kwara State government has called on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to fully participate in these campaigns, highlighting the long-term health benefits that proper immunisation will bring. The ‘Big Catch-Up’ vaccination programme reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of the state’s children and preventing the resurgence of diseases that could be easily avoided through vaccination.
