Despite trying hard to get more kids vaccinated, there are still thirteen areas in Bauchi State where no children have gotten their shots. This means many kids can get sick from diseases that we can stop with vaccines.
Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, who is in charge of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, shared this sad news at a meeting. The meeting was about how to keep track of money spent on vaccines and making sure everyone is doing their job.
Dr. Mohammed also said some places are hard to protect because they are next to Yobe and Jigawa States, which makes them easy to move in and out of without getting vaccinated.
Dr. Mohammed is very worried. He said, “We don’t understand why parents and caregivers won’t get their kids vaccinated. To fix this, we take the vaccines to hard-to-reach places, attend naming ceremonies, and even go with nomads who move around a lot.”
He explained that they are trying different ways to make sure kids get their vaccines. They are doing extra vaccination days regularly, and even giving vaccines at markets.
Dr. Mohammed talked about where the money for vaccines comes from. The State Government gives most of the money for health, but they also get help from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Bauchi State Health Trust Fund, Bauchi State Contributory Management Agency, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, and World Bank Projects.
Dr. Aminu Magashi, the leader of the Africa Health Budget Network, said the meeting helps their members know how to talk to the government about spending money on vaccines the right way.