Health
UNICEF, Katsina begin second phase TD vaccination to fight maternal, neonatal tetanus
By Esha Aliku
The Katsina State Primary Health Care system, with support from the United Nations Children’s Funds, has intensified efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus through the second round of Tetanus-Diphtheria vaccination targeting women of childbearing age in Kaita Local Government Area of the State.
The one-week-long vaccination intensification, which began on July 20 and ends on July 27, is aimed at immunising girls and women aged 15 years and above against tetanus, a preventable disease that poses serious risks to mothers and newborns.
Speaking during a monitoring visit to health facilities in Kaita on Thursday, the Routine Immunisation Provider and Officer-in-Charge of Unguwar Tsamiyya Health Clinic, Buban Ruga, Sada Hashiru, said integrating the vaccination with routine immunisation had improved acceptance among women.
“Many women come here to immunise their children, and before they proceed for the children’s vaccines, we administer the TD vaccine to eligible mothers. This arrangement has helped us capture more women without asking them to make another visit,” Hashiru said.
He said health education was helping to correct the misconception that the vaccine was meant only for married or pregnant women.
“People used to believe the vaccine was only for married women. We now educate them that every woman from the age of 15 is eligible because tetanus does not wait until marriage,” he added.
A supervising health official, Isah Yahaya, described the exercise as a vaccination intensification rather than a campaign, explaining that it is designed to increase coverage among women who missed previous doses.
According to the official, vaccination posts were strategically integrated into routine immunisation clinics and Outpatient Therapeutic Programme centres to reach more eligible women.
“People come from many communities to access nutrition services at the OTP centre. We positioned a vaccination post between the service points so every eligible caregiver can conveniently receive the TD vaccine before leaving,” the official said.
Beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the exercise. A 17-year-old Aisha from Kaita Comprehensive Health Centre, receiving the vaccine for the first time, said health workers explained its importance before she accepted the injection.
“I thought it was only for pregnant women, but now I understand it protects me and my future children,” she said.
Another beneficiary, 35-year-old Salamatu from Walasuma community in Kaita who received her TD second dose, said she returned to complete the schedule after being educated by health workers.
“Myself and my child came for the exercise. I have four children, and with the support of my husband who always gives me transport fare to come, they never skipped any of the immunizations, even this one for women of childbearing age. This is my second time of taking and insha Allah, I will continue until I finish the last dose of the vaccine”, Salamatu said.
Health authorities urged all girls and women aged 15 years and above to visit the nearest health facility and complete the recommended TD vaccination schedule as part of efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in Katsina State.
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