Sokoto Targets 1.2 Million Kids in Massive Four-Day Polio Immunization Effort

The Sokoto State Government has initiated a statewide polio vaccination campaign, with the primary objective of halting the transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 and safeguarding children against paralysis.

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This campaign, which commenced with a flag-off ceremony on Friday at the palace of the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammad Dan’iya, is scheduled to run from Saturday, March 7, to Tuesday, March 10.

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According to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, the exercise is specifically designed to prevent any child in the state from suffering paralysis due to this preventable disease.

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Aliyu emphasized that the campaign's primary goal is to interrupt the transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2, thereby ensuring that no child in Sokoto State ever suffers paralysis from this disease.

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The governor explained that the campaign will employ a more aggressive strategy, utilizing the co-administration of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 and the Oral Polio Vaccine to provide comprehensive protection for children against multiple strains of the virus.

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Thousands of health workers and volunteers have been mobilized across the state to guarantee full coverage of the exercise, according to Aliyu.

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A total of 2,830 house-to-house teams have been deployed to visit households, while 488 special teams will cover transit locations, hard-to-reach communities, and areas with security challenges.

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Additionally, 321 fixed post teams have been stationed at hospitals and other strategic locations across the state to provide routine immunization services.

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Aliyu urged traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and community leaders to ensure total compliance with the exercise, emphasizing that the success of the campaign relies heavily on their support.

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The governor warned that any official found sabotaging the exercise or mismanaging operational funds would face sanctions, and he expressed gratitude to development partners for their continued support.

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The state Commissioner for Health, Faruk Umar, stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the success of the campaign, which aims to vaccinate approximately 1.2 million children during the four-day exercise.

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Umar noted that thousands of health workers have been trained and deployed for the campaign, and the governor has approved all logistics and requirements needed for its successful implementation.

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Earlier, the Chairman of Kware Local Government Area, Ibrahim Attahiru, commended the state government for choosing the council as the venue for the flag-off ceremony and called on parents and guardians to support the campaign.

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The Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Bello Muhammad, assured residents that the vaccines are safe and effective, urging parents to allow their children to participate in the program.

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Representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and UNICEF commended the state government and traditional institutions for mobilizing communities for the exercise, reiterating their commitment to supporting Sokoto State in achieving its immunization goals.