Kano begins diphtheria immunisation in five Kano LGs

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Photo: Kano State Government

The Kano State Government has commenced a diphtheria immunisation campaign in five local government areas of the state as part of renewed efforts to check the spread of the disease.

The exercise is being carried out in Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Kumbotso and Ungoggo Local Government Areas of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Rukayya Jafar Suleiman, the State Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, a copy of which was made available to PUNCH Online on Monday.

“The immunisation campaign covers 13 selected wards across the five local government areas.

“The wards covered include Gobirawa, Kofar Ruwa, Kwachiri, Rijiyar Lemo, Dorayi, Kabuga, Chiranchi, Naibawa, Fanshekara, Bachirawa, Gayawa, Rijiyar Zaki and Ungogo,” the statement said.

The statement further advised residents, particularly those whose immunisation status is unknown or who received their last dose more than 10 years ago, to go for vaccination at designated centres.

“We call on residents, especially those whose immunisation status is unknown or who received their last dose more than 10 years ago, to make themselves and their families available for vaccination,” it said.

According to the statement, diphtheria immunisation is safe and effective, stressing that vaccination remains an important measure for protecting individuals and communities against the disease.

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It further urged parents and other residents to encourage their family members to participate in the exercise, noting that wider community participation would help strengthen efforts to prevent the spread of the disease.

The KNCDC official also encouraged residents to seek accurate information from health authorities and take advantage of the ongoing immunisation exercise.

“Yes, immunisation is safe, effective, and protects you from serious illness. Bring your family members and get vaccinated today. Together, we can prevent Diphtheria, the statement added.

Recall that the Kano State Government had, in August 2026, appealed to the Federal Government to supply additional diphtheria vaccines to enable the state to conduct mass vaccination against the disease across the state.

The Director-General of the Kano Centre for Disease Control, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, made the request while addressing a news conference following the reported outbreak of diphtheria in Rano and some local government areas by the State Assembly, which led to the death of more than 50 children, although the state government had refuted the number of deaths.