Key Takeaways
- The Kano State Government has launched the second round of its Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign.
- The campaign specifically targets women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and aims to reach communities missed during the first phase.
- Maternal and neonatal tetanus is a life-threatening but entirely preventable disease, making this vaccination crucial for mother and child survival.
- The first round achieved a 96.5% administrative coverage rate, vaccinating 1,339,871 women, but 1,191 settlements remained unreached.
- Vaccination services are free, safe, and accessible through health facilities and temporary posts in markets, schools, and places of worship.
Kano State has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to public health by officially launching the second round of its Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) campaign. This critical initiative is designed to intensify efforts in vaccinating women of reproductive age and to meticulously reach communities that were inadvertently missed during the initial phase of the exercise, ensuring comprehensive protection across the state.
A Preventable Threat: Understanding MNTE
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony held at the Kano State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Dr. Abubakar Labaran, the Commissioner for Health, underscored the severe threat posed by maternal and neonatal tetanus. He described it as a life-threatening condition that is, crucially, entirely preventable. Dr. Labaran emphasized that this campaign transcends a mere routine immunization program; it represents a vital intervention aimed at preventing avoidable deaths, significantly improving maternal and child health outcomes, and strengthening the resilience of community health systems throughout Kano State.
“Maternal and neonatal tetanus is deadly, but it is entirely preventable,” Dr. Labaran stated. “By protecting a woman of reproductive age, we also give her newborn a safer start to life. This campaign is not merely about administering a vaccine; it is about preventing avoidable deaths, protecting families, and strengthening the health of our communities.”
Building on Success: Round One Achievements and Gaps
The Commissioner disclosed that the first phase of the campaign, which was successfully conducted in May 2026 across 18 high-risk local government areas, recorded significant achievements. The state strategically deployed 906 vaccination teams, comprising 272 fixed-post teams and 634 temporary fixed-post teams, to immunize women aged between 15 and 49 years. This extensive deployment resulted in 1,339,871 women being vaccinated out of a targeted 1,388,396, achieving an impressive administrative coverage rate of 96.5 percent.
Despite this success, Dr. Labaran acknowledged that while vaccination teams reached 10,139 settlements, accounting for approximately 90 percent of the planned coverage, 1,191 settlements regrettably remained unreached during the first round. “Every unreached settlement may contain women who remain unprotected, and Round Two provides us with an important opportunity to close these gaps and ensure that no eligible woman is left behind,” he affirmed, highlighting the imperative to achieve universal coverage.
Strategic Approach for Round Two
The second round of the campaign will meticulously cover the same 18 high-risk local government areas, with a renewed and intensified focus on underserved, hard-to-reach, and previously missed communities. To enhance accessibility and ensure maximum participation, vaccination services will be readily available through established health facilities and temporary vaccination posts strategically located at markets, schools, places of worship, and other key public locations. Dr. Labaran assured residents that all necessary resources, including vaccines, logistics, and highly trained healthcare personnel, have been fully deployed and are ready for the exercise.
A Collective Call to Action
Urging widespread participation, Dr. Labaran encouraged all women between the ages of 15 and 49 years to seize the opportunity of this free vaccination exercise. He emphasized, “The vaccine is free, safe, and essential for protection against maternal and neonatal tetanus. Women who received a dose during Round One should also receive the next recommended dose needed to build stronger and longer-lasting protection.” The Commissioner also appealed to husbands, parents, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and media organizations to actively support the campaign by encouraging eligible women to receive the vaccine and by helping to counter any misinformation surrounding immunization efforts.
Sustained Commitment to Public Health
Reaffirming the steadfast commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Dr. Labaran reiterated the administration’s dedication to improving maternal and child health. This commitment is demonstrated through sustained investment in immunization programs, quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, promotion of clean delivery practices, and the continuous strengthening of primary healthcare services. He extended commendations to all development partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary, AFENET, CORE Group, Solina, the Gates Foundation, local government authorities, traditional institutions, community leaders, and frontline health workers for their invaluable and ongoing support towards the ultimate elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in Kano State. He stressed that the ultimate success of this vital campaign hinges on ensuring that absolutely no eligible woman is left behind.
Why This Matters
The successful elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in Kano State will significantly reduce preventable deaths among mothers and newborns, fostering healthier families and more robust communities. This campaign underscores the state's dedication to public health, strengthening its healthcare infrastructure and setting a precedent for comprehensive disease prevention initiatives.