WHO: Kwara And 20 Other States to Conduct Repeat Polio Vaccination

Kwara State and 20 other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are set to repeat the polio component of the nationwide Integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, initially conducted in October 2025.

The exercise, targeting children under five, had been temporarily paused but will resume under the supervision of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other development partners.

Speaking at a media dialogue on the November SNIPDs, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, and the Human Papillomavirus Intensification Campaign on Monday, WHO Coordinator for Kwara State, Dr. Eyitayo Emmanuel, said the decision to repeat the vaccination was based on “identified gaps” observed during the earlier round.

Dr. Emmanuel, represented by Dr. Gwomson Dauda, explained that some schools refused participation, claiming they had not received notification letters prior to the exercise. “In some locations, schools declined vaccines because they alleged no official communication reached them,” he said. He added that certain military and federal schools also turned down vaccination teams despite receiving formal letters.

WHO officials further cited challenges in accessing some residential estates and other logistical barriers, underscoring the need for another vaccination round. Dr. Dauda urged Nigerians to reject myths and misconceptions about polio vaccination, emphasizing that the disease remains a real threat.

“Some elderly people you see with mobility challenges were affected by polio. One of our staff members who suffered polio as a child is now working with WHO. Polio is real,” he noted.

He also praised the Kwara State Government for meeting its counterpart funding obligations, a commitment that helped immunize over one million children in the state during the previous campaign.

“Kwara consistently stands out in implementation because the government fulfills its obligations,” he added.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, represented by Director Dr. Oguntoyinbo, highlighted the critical role of the media in addressing misinformation during vaccination exercises. She noted that while media platforms are essential for health education, misinformation, disinformation, and rumors—especially on social media—can undermine public health efforts.

Prof. Elelu urged journalists and other stakeholders to intensify community awareness campaigns in rural areas to ensure accurate information reaches citizens ahead of the next phase of the vaccination exercise.