SMC vaccine is safe, free, Zamfara commissioner assures parents

The Zamfara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Mohammed Maradun, has assured residents that the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) vaccine is safe and free, saying that 1.2 million children are targeted for this year’s vaccination exercise in the state.

This was disclosed on Saturday in Gusau during a press briefing on the state government’s preparedness for the SMC exercise.

Dr. Nafisa Maradun, represented by the SMC State Coordinator, Sani Aliyu, explained that over 11,000 ad hoc staff had been engaged for the exercise, including community leaders, supervisors, and personnel administering the vaccine across the state.

“Over 500 government facilities are to be used during the exercise across the 14 local government areas of the state.

ALSO READ: Malaria campaign: Zamfara to distributes over one million SMC doses

According to him, the state government recorded significant progress during last year’s exercise, with 1.050 million children vaccinated across the state.

Also speaking, the Zamfara State Chairman, Advocacy on Malaria, Dr. Bashir, assured that no child would be left behind despite the insecurity in the state.

“This time around, we have made adequate arrangements to ensure the success of the exercise. It is going to be house-to-house, with close supervision. No child should be missed,” he assured.