The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate says 19 states in which 98 per cent of children remain unvaccinated against diphtheria, face a race against time to implement a vaccination campaign.

Speaking yesterday at the “quarterly review meeting” of the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on Primary Health Care Service Delivery in Abuja, the Minister had urged the 19 states to come together to confront the looming threat in order to save the lives of vulnerable children.

The Minister also called for a collaboration between various stakeholders, including federal and state governments, traditional leaders, private sector, and civil society.