Mallam Salisu Haruna, a father of 28 children from Azare Katagum local government area of Bauchi State, has opened up on his refusal to allow the vaccination of his children against polio for the past four years, citing ignorance and misinformation as the root causes of his decision.
Speaking to journalists during a polio immunisation monitoring exercise in Azare, Katagum local government area, Haruna admitted that he was misled into believing that the vaccine was a harmful agenda by the government and international organisations.
He said, “I didn’t reject the polio vaccine out of stubbornness. I was misinformed and thought the government and NGOs were forcing us into something dangerous. I even believed the vaccine was a way to stop us from having more children.”
He further explained that within the four years of non-compliance several of his children suffered preventable health issues, describing that period as a deeply regrettable chapter in his family’s life.
“I used to think the vaccine would harm or even kill my children. But after health officials visited us and explained the real purpose, I realised it actually saves lives and helps children grow strong and healthy,” he added.
He commended the awareness efforts of the Bauchi State government and UNICEF for transforming his views, noting that his children were now receiving the polio vaccine regularly and were visibly healthier, more active and excelling academically.
Haruna urged other parents to support routine immunisation, saying, “You don’t realise the importance of the vaccine until you see one of your children paralyzed and you have no money for treatment.
During the same exercise, Hajiya Saadatu Hamza, supervisor of the Dandalbatu Polio Immunization Unit in Masango Ward, praised the high level of community cooperation.