Nigeria is intensifying efforts to combat poliovirus, focusing on vaccinating children in high-risk areas. Despite setbacks, including absent caregivers and vaccine hesitancy, a recent campaign successfully reached millions. A strategic plan is in place to continue closing immunity gaps, with endorsements from health authorities aiming to ensure the protection of all children from poliovirus.
In Maiduguri, Borno State, a four-year-old girl named Amina has faced challenges in receiving her vaccinations against poliovirus, a reflection of Nigeria’s broader fight against poliovirus in high-risk areas. Despite ongoing vaccination campaigns, Amina’s mother, Saratu Bulama, shares that they often miss vaccination rounds due to their presence during immunization efforts. This situation exemplifies the difficulties in halting poliovirus transmission and reducing vaccine-preventable diseases in conflict-affected regions.
The transmission of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) is a primary concern for Nigerian health authorities. From January 2024 to March 10, 2025, Nigeria reported 122 confirmed cVPV2 cases, including ten in the current year. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) is utilizing a Targeted Local Outbreak Response (TLR) strategy to address these immunity gaps, aiming to vaccinate all susceptible children in identified high-risk areas.
A recent vaccination campaign reached 3.8 million children across seven high-burden states, with over 3.6 million receiving the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). However, some children were still missed due to caregiver noncompliance or absence during vaccination rounds. Dr. Abdulkadir Usman Gana of NEOC emphasized the need for enhanced social mobilization to address issues of vaccine hesitancy and ensure every child is vaccinated against cVPV2.
The NEOC operations group, in collaboration with WHO, is crucial in assessing and planning vaccinations based on data-driven analysis. Factors such as pending cVPV2 isolates, population immunity levels, and logistics are considered in this planning. Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo from WHO commended the TLR approach for its effectiveness in combating poliovirus, asserting that decisive action must be taken to turn the tide against cVPV2.
WHO’s support during the vaccination campaign included training over 18,727 health workers and coordinating efforts to maximize the impact of immunization. Dr. Yusuf Muhammad Argungu noted the success of their advocacy and communication activities, which contributed to community engagement. Volunteers like Zayyanu Adamu highlighted the importance of local initiatives to educate residents about vaccination and resolve community concerns, which facilitated higher compliance levels during the campaign.
To assess vaccination coverage, WHO employed Lot Quality Assurance Surveys (LQAS), which confirmed impressive results with 97% of surveyed local governments achieving over 90% vaccination coverage. These findings demonstrate the significant success of the vaccination campaign in most areas.
Moving forward, Nigeria plans another TLR phase commencing on March 12, 2025, aiming to vaccinate 946,600 children in five states. Although challenges remain, the collaboration among NPHCDA, NEOC, WHO, and local communities illustrates unwavering dedication to ending poliovirus transmission in Nigeria. Sustaining efforts combined with community support and innovation will enable the country to move toward eradication of polio.
Nigeria is actively addressing immunity gaps in the fight against poliovirus, particularly in high-risk communities. Through targeted vaccination campaigns and collaboration between health authorities and community members, significant progress is being made. Continuous efforts, community engagement, and data-driven strategies are essential to ensure the protection of all children against poliovirus and to move closer to achieving a polio-free future.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
