The Gombe State Government has commenced an emergency vaccination campaign following the outbreak of diphtheria, with about 332 cases recorded in four Local Government Areas of the state
The affected local government areas are Akko, Gombe, Kwami and Funakaye
The state Ministry of Education, in a directive issued to principals of schools across the state, urged them to cooperate with health officials during the vaccination exercise
According to the directive, the first phase of the immunisation exercise is scheduled to run from September 20 to 24, 2026
It stated that the second dose would be administered 14 days after the first, while the third and final dose would follow seven days later
The ministry directed school principals to sensitise students, parents, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) about the exercise
It also instructed schools to provide authorised health personnel with access to students for vaccination and urged all stakeholders to support measures aimed at containing the outbreak
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract and can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected persons
The outbreak has prompted increased vaccination and public awareness efforts, particularly in schools and communities across the affected local government areas