The United Nations Kids’s Training Fund (UNICEF) and the Kano State Authorities have renewed dedication to eradicating polio, concentrating on no fewer than 4.1 million youngsters for vaccination throughout the state.
The dedication was made on Tuesday in Kano throughout a media dialogue on polio and routine immunization, held forward of the 2025 World Immunization Week.
Talking on the occasion, the State Immunization Officer, Mrs Sa’adatu Ibrahim, stated the World Immunization Week was a part of efforts to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free standing and stop resurgence of the virus.
“Our goal is to achieve each baby with the polio vaccine. The virus has no place in our communities and should be utterly eradicated,” she stated.
New instances elevate concern over protection gaps
Ibrahim disclosed that the state had recorded three new confirmed instances of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus kind 2 (cVDPV2) in 2025, elevating recent issues over gaps in immunization protection and surveillance.
She stated that two of the instances had been detected by Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, whereas the third was recognized by Environmental Surveillance (ES).
The instances had been reported in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa Native Authorities Areas (LGAs).
In accordance with her, the latest instances observe earlier resurgences in 2023 and 2024, when 27 cVDPV2 instances had been confirmed in 11 LGAs in 2023 and 31 instances in 17 LGAs in 2024.
“The continued isolation of cVDPV2 from stool and sewage samples exhibits that many eligible youngsters are nonetheless being missed throughout routine immunization and supplementary immunization actions (SIAs).
“Each missed baby is a hiding place for the polio virus.”
UNICEF urges state of emergency on polio
Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF Subject Workplace in Kano, Mr Rahma Farah, referred to as on the state authorities to declare a state of emergency on polio and routine immunization following the resurgence of the illness.
Farah, represented by Mr Michael Banda, UNICEF Senior Training Supervisor, stated the decision grew to become crucial as Nigeria has recorded 18 instances of polio in 18 LGAs throughout 9 states.
This, he stated, contains three in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa LGAs of Kano State.
“That is unacceptable and should be urgently addressed. Polio is aware of no boundaries. An outbreak wherever threatens youngsters in every single place,” he stated.
He added that the dialogue, organized in collaboration with the Kano State Authorities and the State Main Well being Care Administration Board, sought to mobilize media help forward of the following polio vaccination marketing campaign.
Farah revealed that the vaccination scheduled for April 24 to 30 coincided with the World Immunization Week.
He confused the essential position of the media in tackling disinformation, myths, and rumours that hinder vaccination efforts.
“UNICEF acknowledges and values your ongoing dedication to baby rights advocacy and public consciousness by your platforms.
“We name on you to disseminate correct info and encourage mother and father and caregivers to deliver out their youngsters for vaccination,” he added.
International progress, native challenges
He famous that greater than three billion individuals had been vaccinated towards polio globally since 1988, resulting in a pointy decline in instances.
He, nonetheless, warned that latest outbreaks confirmed that the battle was not over.
UNICEF additionally appealed to native authorities authorities and urged the Kano State Authorities to reveal political will by declaring a state of emergency on polio and making certain the well timed launch of counterpart funds.
