Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Kwara State has launched the Immunisation Plus Days campaign to strengthen children’s immunity and protect them against the poliomyelitis virus.
The statewide campaign will take place across all 16 local government areas and targets children aged 0–5 years, regardless of their previous vaccination status.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, “Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under-5-year-old children.”
Though Nigeria has been declared free of the wild poliovirus, Prof. Elelu emphasized the need for continued vigilance.
“Though the country is wild polio virus free, there are threats around us as some countries are still isolating the wild polio virus while the circulating virus is also a source of concern,” she said.
In response to this threat, Kwara is joining other states to implement the April vaccination round, as directed by the National Polio Emergency Operation Centre.
Prof. Elelu reassured the public of the vaccine’s safety, stating that it is both effective and without the risk of overdose.
She called on parents, caregivers, religious leaders, and educators to support the campaign by ensuring that eligible children are made available for vaccination.
“The teams will move from house to house, markets, religious houses, and schools for the exercise,” she added, urging full cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure every child is reached.
