As part of renewed efforts to keep Adamawa State and Nigeria polio-free, the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) has announced the commencement of a fresh round of polio immunisation scheduled to run from April 26 to 29, 2025.
The Executive Chairman of ASPHCDA, Dr Sulaiman Bashir, disclosed this during a media roundtable held in Yola on Tuesday. He emphasised that the oral polio vaccine remains free, effective, and safe and urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the media to actively support the campaign and ensure all eligible children receive the vaccine.
“Our targeted group includes children aged 0 to 59 months,” Dr Bashir stated, adding that a total of 1,443,300 vaccine doses have been secured to immunise no fewer than 1,405,881 children across all 226 political wards in the state.
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He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status, which was achieved in 2020, noting that the vaccination exercise is crucial in maintaining high immunity levels, especially in the face of challenges such as population movement, insecurity, and environmental risks.
Dr Bashir also highlighted the efforts of UNICEF in supporting the campaign through the mobilisation of skilled health personnel, provision of materials, and logistical planning to ensure comprehensive coverage.
He stressed that the polio vaccine is not only safe but also crucial in protecting both previously immunised children and new arrivals in the state. “There are no serious side effects linked to the vaccine; reports show that any adverse reactions are usually mild and extremely rare,” he added.
In his remarks, Oluseyi Olosunde, Health Officer at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, lauded Adamawa State for its consistent performance in healthcare delivery. He noted that routine immunisation is vital in preventing any resurgence of the virus and urged the media to play a key role in promoting accurate information and dispelling myths about the vaccine.
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