Stakeholders in Kano State have intensified efforts to address the challenge of zero-dose and under-immunised children through advocacy, accountability, and improved funding under the Better Opportunities for Optimal Services Targeted Immunization for Zero Dose and Under Immunized Children (BOOST) Project.
The project, implemented by Save the Children International with support from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is designed to promote effective and scalable strategies to reduce missed vaccinations among children.
Speaking during the orientation of the Kano State Community of Practice on Immunisation, Budget Tracking, Advocacy, and Accountability, the BOOST Project Manager and Kano Field Manager for Save the Children, Malam Abdullahi Magama, said the initiative is focused on identifying gaps and strengthening advocacy efforts to improve immunisation coverage.
Magama explained that the project, which commenced full implementation in January 2024 and is expected to run until December 2027, is currently being implemented in Gezawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas.
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He stressed the need for increased government support to complement declining donor funding, particularly in reaching hard-to-reach communities.
“There is a need for adequate funding. Government at both state and local levels must come in to support manpower and logistics required to reach underserved communities,” he said.
According to him, the project aims to significantly improve immunisation coverage and reduce the number of children who have never received vaccines.
Also speaking, the Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, urged members of the Community of Practice (CoP) to remain committed to the success of the initiative, noting that advocacy teams would be supported to carry out their responsibilities effectively. He emphasised the importance of strategic engagement with policymakers and stakeholders, stressing that sustained advocacy would play a critical role in mobilising resources, influencing policy decisions, and ensuring accountability in the implementation of immunisation programmes across the state.
On his part, the Co-Chair of the Community of Practice on Accountability, Comrade Salisu Yusuf, said the orientation provided a platform to review advocacy briefs and prepare for a series of activities to be implemented at state, local government, and community levels.
He explained that the advocacy efforts would focus on identified high-burden areas within the project’s target local governments.
“The advocacy will involve key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Management Board, and Local Government Health officials, to obtain relevant information on funding and service delivery,” he said.
Yusuf added that the ultimate goal is to ensure that the issue of zero-dose children is drastically reduced across the state.
He noted that available data from Save the Children indicates that Kano State has a 35 per cent prevalence of zero-dose children, with Gezawa recording 48 per cent and Ungogo 31 per cent.
“The aim is to reduce these figures to the barest minimum and ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines,” he stated.
The orientation also featured practical sessions where participants were trained on developing and implementing effective advocacy briefs to drive accountability and improved immunisation outcomes.
The BOOST Project is a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening routine immunisation systems and ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing essential vaccines in Kano State.
