The Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, ASPHCDA, has announced plans to begin the second round of its catch-up immunisation campaign on February 14, 2025.
According to the Agency, the initiative will target children who have missed previous vaccinations, as well as those who are completely unvaccinated.
Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at ASPHCDA, Nnamdi Uliagbafusi, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka on Monday, noting that the meeting was aimed at ensuring the success of the Big Catch-up immunisation campaign, which would take place in nine Local Government Areas with high numbers of zero-dose and unvaccinated children.
Uliagbafusi said the affected LGAs include Ayamelum, Anaocha, Idemili North and South, Orumba North and South, Nnewi South, Ihiala, and Aguata.
He therefore explained that the immunisation campaign would run from February 14 to 21, with vaccinations taking place at designated health centres, community centres, and other outreach locations, emphasing the importance of routine immunisation in reducing morbidity and mortality among children under five, helping to secure their long-term health.
“This second round of the ‘Big Catch-up’ campaign aims to strengthen the efforts made during the first round. “It targets children between zero and 59 months to ensure that no child is left behind.”
He further stressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders, saying, “We cannot address the immunisation gaps in the nine affected LGAs without the support of various partners.”
He called on religious, traditional, and community leaders, civil society organisations and the media to help spread the message of routine immunisation to communities.
