Adamawa maintains 100% immunization success despite new challenges – Dr. Joseph
In what is being described as a landmark achievement in the state’s healthcare delivery efforts, the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHCDA) has announced a 100 percent success rate in its most recent polio immunization campaign, conducted from April 26 to April 29, 2025. Despite significant obstacles, including misinformation, cultural resistance, and socio-economic barriers, the agency managed to surpass its immunization target and reach even more children than originally planned.
Dr. Jacob Vasumu Joseph, Director of Disease Control and Immunization at APHCDA, shared this update during a media roundtable organized to inform journalists about the outcome of the exercise and ongoing developments in the state’s primary healthcare system.
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He explained that the campaign’s success was achieved in the face of emerging challenges that threatened to disrupt the campaign.
These challenges, he said, were largely driven by misinformation, harmful traditional beliefs, religious constraints, fear of vaccine side effects, and a general lack of awareness.
Dr. Joseph emphasized that misconceptions surrounding vaccination remain one of the biggest hurdles to immunization campaigns in the state.
He noted that many of these myths are fueled by inaccurate information circulating within communities.
He said, to combat this, APHCDA implemented a comprehensive strategy designed to address these concerns. The approach include; deploying trusted community voices such as religious and traditional leaders, rapid response to misinformation, and dissemination of accurate, clear, and accessible information across all 21 local government areas of Adamawa State.
Joseph said, the recent immunization drive involved approximately 1,738 teams of vaccinators, with a target of immunizing 1,386,608 children under the age of five.
However, the teams surpassed expectations by successfully vaccinating at least 1,483,450 children, indicating not only the effectiveness of the outreach but also a strong community response.
He noted that despite recording 986 cases of non-compliance during the exercise, Dr. Joseph reported that all but five of these cases were resolved peacefully.
He assured that efforts are ongoing to address the remaining five cases, noting that the agency remains committed to ensuring full coverage and cooperation across the state.
Joseph credited much of the campaign’s success to the collaborative efforts of traditional and religious leaders, the media, and local communities who played a crucial role in spreading accurate information and mobilizing parents to participate in the campaign.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Sulaiman Bashir, Executive Chairman of APHCDA, elaborated on the agency’s broader mandate.
He outlined that APHCDA is responsible for implementing at least ten core mandates aimed at strengthening the healthcare system in Adamawa.
These include public health education, provision of safety nets in nutrition, ensuring access to safe water and sanitation, immunization, and maternal and child care services amongst others.
Dr. Bashir stressed the agency’s commitment to a preventive approach in healthcare delivery adding that by focusing on early intervention strategies such as immunization, deworming, antenatal care, and health education, the agency seeks to significantly reduce disease burden in the state.
He added that the APHCDA is constantly evaluating and innovating its strategies to improve efficiency and service delivery.
During the session, various directors of the agency provided detailed explanations of their operations, the challenges they face, and the new initiatives being introduced to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the state.
They underscored the importance of continued community engagement, innovation, and collaboration with stakeholders in overcoming barriers and ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every resident of Adamawa State.
