Fathers’ team reduces polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward
By Hajara Leman
The Fathers’ Rapid Response Team has played a key role in reducing polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe, lowering resistance from 70 to just 15 households, an official has confirmed.
Malam Mohammed Lawan, the Primary Healthcare Coordinator of Akko LGA, gave the update to newsmen at the headquarters in Kumo.
He explained that the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team was made up of respected community leaders and male influencers, tasked with engaging directly with resistant families to address their concerns.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), inaugurated the Polio Vaccination Campaign in the state on Thursday, April 24.
Lawan emphasised the critical role the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team had played in rebuilding community trust.
“We realised that resistance was rooted in feelings of neglect, especially regarding the lack of access to state government palliatives and long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.
“By sending fathers to speak to other fathers, we were able to hear their grievances, correct misinformation, and encourage them to prioritise their children’s health,” he said.
Lawan described the reduction in resistance from 70 to 15 households as a significant achievement but noted that the goal was to reach zero resistance.
“Every child deserves protection,” he added, reaffirming their commitment to fully immunise all eligible children in Garko Ward.
Malam Umar Ahmed, Secretary of Akko Emirate Council and a member of the Fathers’ Response Team, lauded their culturally sensitive approach, which he said had significantly improved the vaccination rate in the area.
Malam Shuaibu Ahmed, a father of four, commended the government and international organisations like UNICEF for providing the polio vaccine free of charge.
He expressed confidence in the vaccine’s safety, highlighting that none of his children had experienced any issues following vaccination.
Ahmed encouraged other parents to vaccinate their children, stressing the importance of supporting vaccination campaigns for the well-being and future health of the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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