Nigeria To Vaccinate 42m Children, Sets December Deadline To End Polio
By Maharazu Ahmed
Nigeria will commence polio vaccination targeting 42 million children in 21 priority states in two phases starting from 29th November 2025 till 9th December 2025.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr Rahama Rihood M. Farah, said during the Jigawa State Media Dialogue on November Polio Vaccination Campaign on Tuesday, that at least 95% or higher vaccination coverage must be achieved to meet the target.
“Let me highlight that the target set was to achieve a zero case count by December 2025, however, since this virus knows no boundaries, a case in point is that in 2025 the country has already reported 72 confirmed cVPV2 cases from 49 LGAs of 14 states. Therefore, we still need to be extra vigilant and work hard to prevent further relapses to stop the circulation.
“To stop this ongoing circulation, we must achieve at least 95% or higher vaccination coverage by immunizing all targeted children during every campaign.
“We also need to pay attention to Routine Immunization (RI), every LGA must have at least 80% of children 0-11 months fully vaccinated with three doses of Penta vaccine,” he said.
On the exercise in Jigawa, the UNICEF chief said that, although the state has made some progress with 5 LGAs reporting cases this year compared to 6 LGAs in 2024, with the total number of confirmed cVPV2 cases in 2024 at 12, and five so far in 2025, a 58% reduction, halting the circulation of the polio virus is yet to be achieved.
Farrah noted that government has allocated 3,060 House to House Vaccination Teams and provided 1.7 million doses of Novel Oral Polio Vaccines (nOPV2) to immunize a total of over 1.5 million children under five years age in the state.
“Additionally, 548 special teams will be responsible for vaccination in overcrowded/busy places like markets, streets and bus stands etc.
“It is important to mention that RI and other services like Vit A , deworming tabs and other nutritional supplies. will also be served at all health facilities and through fixed posts.
“One fixed post team per ward will be deployed to achieve the RI targets.
“The state, with the support of UNICEF, has deployed 1,500 health workers after improved IPC Skills training.
“Additionally, the state has trained and deployed 264 Non Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) members.
Each of the 88 NCRTs teams contain a community influencer, traditional leader and vaccinator to convert and resolve non-compliance cases during intra campaign phases on a real time basis in the state.
“It is important to mention that RI and other services like Vit A , deworming tabs and other nutritional supplies. will also be served at all health facilities and through fixed posts.”
Farrah emphasised that, with only one month until December, the agreed date for achieving the set goal of eradicating polio virus from Nigeria, LGAs chairmen should personally oversee all phases of the campaign and be regularly chairing the evening review meetings during the campaign, state and LGAs flag off be conducted and counterpart funds released on time, while LGAs Teams intensify the supportive supervision required for the quality implementation of the campaign.
To the media, Farrah appealed for accurate dissemination of information about polio vaccination and use various channels to mobilize caregivers, parents, communities and stakeholders to make children available for the vaccination.
“Vaccines are provided free by the government, are effective and safe. Let us take all necessary actions to eradicate polio in Jigawa State and indeed Nigeria,” the UNICEF chief added.
