The Gombe State Government has announced an outbreak of diphtheria within the state, with a total of 332 cases reported across four local government areas (LGAs).
In response, the government is launching an emergency vaccination campaign in the affected LGAs: Akko, Gombe, Kwami, and Funakaye.
This information was communicated in a directive issued by the Gombe State Ministry of Education to school principals and other school leaders. They are instructed to cooperate with health officials during the vaccination exercise.
The first phase of the immunisation program is set to take place from Sunday, September 20, to Thursday, September 24, 2026. Following this, additional doses will be administered at specified intervals.
The second dose will be given 14 days after the first, with the final dose administered seven days later.
In a statement signed by the Director of School Services, the Ministry has directed principals to inform students, parents, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) about the vaccination exercise.
School authorities were also instructed to grant authorised health and immunisation personnel access to students for the administration of vaccines.
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The Ministry urged School Administrators and other stakeholders to give the exercise the necessary cooperation, stressing the importance of preventive measures in containing the outbreak.
The Ministry of Education further advised principals seeking additional information or clarification about the exercise to contact the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, in the state.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae which primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, although it can also affect the skin.
The infection can spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through close contact with an infected person.
Common symptoms include sore throat, fever and cough, while severe cases can lead to serious complications if not promptly treated.
The outbreak has placed schools and communities in the affected local government areas at the centre of the state’s containment efforts, with authorities relying on vaccination and public awareness to prevent further transmission.
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