‎By JUSTINA AUTA

‎Health teams in Yobe are returning to communities cut off by years of insecurity under a military-escorted vaccination initiative expected to reach more than 11,000 children across 232 settlements.

The ‌‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌‌⁠‌‌disclosure was made by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, highlighting efforts to restore vaccination services in communities affected by insecurity.

According to Gavi, years of conflict disrupted routine immunisation and other essential healthcare services in many communities across the state, leaving thousands of children without access to life-saving vaccines and protection.

The alliance said military escorts were now enabling health workers to safely reach previously inaccessible communities and restore critical healthcare services, following years of insecurity that restricted movement and access.

It said the Initiative was expected to vaccinate more than 11,000 children in 232 settlements, helping to close immunisation gaps created by prolonged insecurity and disruptions to routine healthcare services.

Gavi said that the operation underscored the complex logistical and security efforts required to deliver healthcare in conflict-affected areas, where insecurity had continued to limit access for health workers.

The alliance added that the initiative demonstrated the importance of partnerships in ensuring that children living in hard-to-reach and insecure communities were not left behind in routine immunisation and essential interventions.

It also highlighted the realities faced by frontline health workers as they strive to restore access to healthcare in communities isolated by conflict, while continuing vaccination activities in spite of challenging security conditions. (NAN)

•Aishatu Bala, a mother of four, says she was unhappy when her children missed vaccinations but now feels reassured when vaccination teams reach the community. Credit: Jesusegun Alagbe