WHO, Borno Gov’t Flag Off Polio Vaccination For 2, 556,423 Children

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with Borno State government and partners have flagged off the third round polio vaccination targeting about 2,556, 423 eligible children across the 27 local government areas of Borno State.

Speaking during the flagging off exercise at the District Head of Old Maiduguri promises, the WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, said despite the devastating flood disaster that affected residents Borno State, the organisation remains resolute and committed to supporting the state’s people.

“Early this year, we implemented two rounds of a vaccination campaign to respond to a polio outbreak with remarkable success.This is yet another opportunity for us to vaccinate our children, protect them, and interrupt the transmission of the vaccine-derived polio virus.

“For this campaign, WHO have supported the government of Borno in providing technical support, data tools, and training to 3,9030 vaccination team members.

This team comprises of 1935 house to house vaccination teams; 622 fixed post vaccinators; 368 special teams to vaccinate children outside houses, streets, markets and open spaces; 45 reaching every settlement team – the RES is a strategy for accessing children in security compromised settlements; 960 directly observed polio vaccination team (DOPV) – they vaccinate children in high-risk and densely populated communities,” Salisu said.

He added that WHO is also paying for the logistics and stipend for all the vaccination teams in the 27 LGAs, saying that the organisation will use this opportunity to encourage all the vaccination teams to go house to house in all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated.

“We urge all traditional and religious leaders to sensitise their subjects about the benefits of this vaccination. We encourage all parents, guardians, and caregivers to make their children eligible to be vaccinated,” the WHO State Coordinator further said.

He thanked the Borno State government for its leadership and collaboration, stressing that WHO remains a steadfast partner dedicated to supporting Nigeria in safeguarding its public health.

”Let us continue to work together, with determination and resolve, to address the challenges of poliovirus and build a healthier, more resilient Nigeria,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Borno State Primary Health Care Board, Prof Mohammed Arab Alhaji, said the WHO and partners polio vaccination initiative signifies a critical advancement in the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance the health and future of its populace, especially the children under the age of five years.

He explained the importance of polio vaccination to include protection against permanent paralysis and disability; eradication of polio with cases decreasing by 99% since 1988; prevention of transmission and protection of vulnerable population among others.

Represented by the Director Disease Control in the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Hajia Fati Ali, the Executive Director SPHCB, said part of the implementation strategy adopted by the state include Directly Observed Polio Vaccination (DOPV); House to House vaccination; routine immunisation service at fixed post and continuous engaging with community leaders, parents, and guardians which is crucial to building support and addressing any concerns or misconceptions about the vaccine.