Nasarawa, UNICEF target 1.5 million children for polio vaccination

The Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, says it is targeting a total of 1,550,705 children for its polio vaccination campaign scheduled for May 2 to May 5, 2026, in the state.

Our correspondent gathered that the campaign will include polio vaccination, nutrition services, and basic healthcare, all accessible through designated health camps across the 13 local government areas of the state.

The Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Usman Saleh, disclosed this on Thursday in Lafia during a media dialogue on the polio outbreak campaign.

Saleh, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources at the agency, Sunday Ayitonu, noted that the media engagement was aimed at reviewing the last campaign, which recorded 93 per cent coverage, adding that more efforts were needed to achieve optimal results.

He explained that cases of acute malnutrition were identified during the previous vaccination exercise, prompting the introduction of health camps in selected areas to address malnutrition and provide minor healthcare services.

“Our target is to reach at least 1.5 million eligible children, and achieving this requires disseminating accurate and timely information to all segments of society,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director of Nutrition at the agency, Salome Aya, said the intervention would be implemented in four local government areas, including Awe, Nasarawa, Keffi and Toto.

Aya said the initiative was informed by reports of widespread malnutrition detected during earlier campaigns, which attracted UNICEF’s support.

She explained that the health camps would provide nutrition services and treatment for minor illnesses, adding that children identified as malnourished during the vaccination period would be referred to the camps for treatment.

According to her, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food provided by UNICEF will be administered to affected children at the camps.

She noted that the intervention would initially be piloted in 50 per cent of wards in the selected LGAs, focusing mainly on rural and hard-to-reach communities.

“We are starting small to assess its effectiveness. The selected LGAs have a high burden of malnutrition, and the focus will be on rural wards where the need is greatest,” she said.

In his remarks, a Health Specialist on Immunisation with UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Dr Ahmed Tsofo, said the campaign was aimed at preventing the spread of polio among children aged zero to 59 months.

He described polio as a highly infectious viral disease that could cause permanent disability or death, stressing that vaccination remained the most effective preventive measure.

“The disease spreads through contaminated food and water, and poor sanitation contributes significantly to its persistence.

“If one child is infected, about 200 others are at risk. That is why it is important that no child is missed during vaccination,” he said.

Tsofo attributed the continued circulation of the virus to gaps in immunisation coverage, poor hygiene practices, open defecation, and environmental contamination.

He, therefore, urged the media to intensify public enlightenment, counter misinformation, and encourage caregivers to present their children for vaccination.

“The media should educate the public on the benefits and safety of the vaccine, and also publicise the campaign to ensure maximum participation,” he said.

Also speaking, a media consultant, Dr Kalu Idika, emphasised the critical role of journalists in polio eradication, describing them as trusted voices in disseminating accurate information and dispelling myths.

He added that the media also influences policymakers and public health behaviour, urging sustained advocacy for increased immunisation uptake.

Our correspondent further reports that stakeholders at the event called for collective efforts to ensure that no eligible child misses the polio vaccination during the campaign.