Nigeria battles cholera with mass vaccination in Plateau State
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In Plateau State, Nigeria, UNICEF and the Plateau State Ministry of Health are working together to immunise residents in Jos North and Mangu local government areas following a cholera outbreak.
The vaccination campaign began after cholera claimed at least 18 lives and infected hundreds of people in July. Health officials reported high turnout from communities, aided by early outreach to traditional leaders who communicated the importance of vaccination in local languages.
Nimnan Zinghi, Local Immunisation Officer for Jos North, explained that teams vaccinated people at hospitals, mobile units, and in their homes, focusing on elderly and home-bound individuals. The council aimed to immunise 731,000 people aged one year and older, and they vaccinated over 695,000 residents. Lami Paul, a resident of Jos North, received the vaccine with her son as a preventative measure, encouraging others to accept similar health interventions. Dr.
Nicholas Ba’amlong, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, stated that the July outbreak caused 543 suspected cholera cases, with 31 confirmed by rapid tests and six by culture. The state government responded by sending health workers, sanitation teams, and water support to the hardest-hit areas of Mangu and Jos North, and by covering the costs of treatment and hospital bills for patients. Ba’amlong also publicly received the vaccine to inspire participation.
He noted that no new cases have been reported in the last two to three weeks. The state government plans to continue promoting hygiene, water safety, and disease surveillance to prevent future outbreaks, and is grateful for the support of UNICEF and other partners.
