The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated that their focused attention is to ensure that no child would be left unimmunised against polio, saying polio vaccine is safe and effective.
This was disclosed on Saturday in Gusau by the Social Policy Specialist and Officer in Charge, UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Isah Ibrahim, during the flag-off ceremony for the June 2025 Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign held at the Gusau Emir’s Palace, Zamfara State.
The UNICEF social policy specialist explained that through united efforts, remarkable progress has been made in the fight against polio.
“However, we must acknowledge that significant challenges remain, demanding our immediate and focused attention to ensure that no child is left behind,” he stated.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional leadership of Zamfara State leaders for unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our children. Your steadfast commitment to community development and child survival has been pivotal in our collective mission to maintain Zamfara State as polio-free,” he acknowledged.
According to him, to defeat poliovirus, 95 per cent of all children below the age of five need to receive the oral polio vaccine in at least three consecutive polio vaccination rounds.
“To keep polioviruses away, childhood immunization coverage needs to be optimal. According to the 2023 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), Penta 3 coverage of Zamfara State is 25 per cent, and out of the 14 LGAs of the state, 6 LGAs of the state (Gummi, Gusau, Bungudu, Maru, Kaura Namoda, and Talata Mafara) are among the 100 LGAs in Nigeria that have a significant percentage of zero-dose children,” he said.
He advised the community to come together and dispel myths and misinformation about polio vaccination.
“Let us support each other by sharing correct information and encouraging one another to participate in vaccination campaigns. Together, we can create a healthier environment for our children,” he advised.
“There are still many children, particularly in high-risk and hard-to-reach areas, who have never received a single dose of the polio vaccine. If your child has not been vaccinated, please take immediate action to ensure they receive the vaccine. Vaccination is a simple yet powerful tool to protect your child from polio and other preventable diseases,” he explained.
UNICEF emphasised that to ensure the well-being of children, there is a need to:
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Enhance primary healthcare services to ensure they are accessible and effective;
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Increase routine immunisation coverage;
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Vaccinate all zero-dose children who have not yet received any polio vaccine.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gusau, Dr Ibrahim Bello, called on stakeholders to come out with more strategies to parents and guardians that would mobilise them to bring out their children for immunisation.
He advised religious leaders to intensify enlightenment of people at mosques and churches on the importance of polio vaccination to the well-being of children in the state.
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