By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

Kaduna State has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating polio, intensifying preparations for another vaccination round while building on recent gains that saw the state surpass its immunisation targets.

The upcoming campaign, scheduled from May 2 to May 5, 2026, is part of the second phase of the state’s polio outbreak response, targeting children aged zero to fifty-nine months and strengthening routine immunisation for those under two years.

Speaking during a mass mobilisation dialogue with journalists, youth influencers, social media actors and U-Reporters, the Health Education Officer of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Mallam Isa Yushau, stressed the need for sustained community cooperation.

Yushau disclosed that Kaduna vaccinated 2.8 million children against a target of 2.7 million in the last exercise, achieving 103 percent coverage and maintaining its position as the best-performing state in the North-West for two consecutive years.

He explained that about 27,000 settlements were targeted, with 76 percent well covered, 15 percent recording average performance and nine percent identified as poorly covered during the exercise.

Despite the success, he noted that approximately 13,000 cases of non-compliance were recorded, particularly in Igabi, Kaduna North and Kubau Local Government Areas, though about 40 percent were resolved through intensified engagement.

Yushau identified vaccine hesitancy and insecurity in hard-to-reach communities as key barriers, stressing that renewed strategies are being deployed to ensure no child is missed in subsequent campaigns.

He emphasised that polio remains a serious public health threat, warning that outbreaks can spread rapidly and place unvaccinated children at significant risk of paralysis or death.

According to him, the oral polio vaccine is safe, free and effective, requiring multiple doses for full protection, and can be administered to newborns and children with mild illnesses such as cough, fever or diarrhoea.

The campaign coincides with World Immunization Week 2026, themed “For Every Generation, Vaccine Works,” reinforcing the global message that vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past 50 years and protect against over 30 life-threatening diseases.

Yushau added that Kaduna’s progress is driven by strong collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, the education sector, media organisations and partners, alongside innovative approaches such as community awareness drives and educational video campaigns.

He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with GAVI is projected to save over one million lives through expanded vaccine support, further strengthening routine immunisation efforts across the country.

The mobilisation dialogue brought stakeholders together to tackle misinformation, improve vaccine acceptance and expand outreach through schools, workplaces, community campaigns and digital advocacy.

Yushau urged parents, caregivers, media practitioners and health workers to sustain momentum by promoting accurate information, building public trust and ensuring that every eligible child receives life-saving vaccines.(NAN)