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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Health & Science

CODE Launches STRACE Project to Close Sokoto’s Zero-Dose Immunization Gap

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • CODE has launched the STRACE project in Sokoto State, Nigeria, to address the challenge of zero-dose immunization.
  • The initiative, supported by Gavi, will use community-driven tracking and accountability to monitor vaccine delivery and service quality in seven high-burden local government areas.
  • STRACE aims to identify and reach unvaccinated children, strengthen last-mile delivery, and counter misinformation through community ownership and engagement with traditional and religious leaders.

Connected Development (CODE), in partnership with UNICEF, the Sultan Foundation, and the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has launched a new health initiative called STRACE. This project aims to tackle Sokoto State's significant challenge of zero-dose immunization, meaning children who have not received any routine vaccines.

Identifying and reaching these children is central to Nigeria’s goal of achieving universal health coverage

— Mukhtar ModibboCODE official Mukhtar Modibbo explained the significance of the STRACE project's focus on unvaccinated children.

The STRACE project, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will focus on seven local government areas within Sokoto where the number of unvaccinated children is particularly high. CODE will deploy its "Follow The Money" methodology to meticulously monitor vaccine delivery, track spending, and assess the quality of services provided across these areas. This approach is crucial for ensuring that routine immunization services reach underserved communities effectively.

CODE official Mukhtar Modibbo emphasized that identifying and reaching these zero-dose children is central to Nigeria's broader goal of achieving universal health coverage. A key component of STRACE is fostering community ownership. The project plans to engage traditional and religious leaders to boost vaccine demand and combat misinformation that has historically hindered uptake in some regions. Strengthening coordination between community structures and government health authorities is also a priority to ensure transparent and equitable vaccine administration.

Gavi’s support through the CSO Engagement Mechanism is part of a broader strategy to leverage civil society to close immunization gaps in high-risk states.

— CODECODE stated the purpose of Gavi's support for the STRACE initiative.

Health experts present at the launch highlighted the critical importance of addressing the zero-dose gap for Nigeria's health security. They stressed that preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases requires ensuring no child is left behind. The STRACE project's tracking mechanisms will monitor vaccine movement from state stores to health facilities and finally to children, with findings to be made public to promote accountability.

no child should be left behind if the country hopes to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

— Health expertsHealth experts at the launch emphasized the necessity of addressing the zero-dose gap for Nigeria's health security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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