The Kwara State Government has launched a mass vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis, targeting over 1.2 million children across the state. The campaign aims to vaccinate all eligible children from zero to 59 months old in rural communities. This move comes in response to the recent detection of two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant of Polio Virus 2 (CvPv 2) in Kiama Local Government and an additional case in January 2026.
The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, emphasized the state government's commitment to protecting children from the disease. She noted that the state has made significant progress in addressing non-compliance and vaccine hesitancy in the past, citing Asa Local Government Area as an example. Elelu urged traditional and religious leaders to support government efforts in immunization to achieve zero polio status in the state.
The Health Officer of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Dr Lukman Ahmed, highlighted the importance of the vaccination campaign in ensuring Nigeria's return to the list of polio-free countries. He pledged UNICEF's support, including technical assistance, monitoring, and countering misinformation, to help achieve the goal of protecting all children from the disease.
The Kwara State Government's efforts to vaccinate over 1.2 million children against poliomyelitis are a welcome development. The detection of confirmed cases of CvPv 2 in the state highlights the need for urgent action to prevent the spread of the disease. The state government's commitment to protecting children, coupled with the support of UNICEF and other stakeholders, is crucial in achieving zero polio status in the state. The vaccination campaign is a significant step towards ensuring that Nigeria gets back on track towards becoming a polio-free country. However, the success of this campaign relies heavily on the commitment of community leaders and healthcare staff to administer the vaccine effectively.
