Katsina State has recorded two cases of circulating variant polio virus in 2025, a decline from the 17 cases reported across eight local government areas of the state in 2024.
Announcing the this at a media dialogue and mobilisation ahead of the October 2025 integrated Polio Vaccination Campaign in Katsina, UNICEF Chief Kano Field Officer, Rahama Rihood Muhammed, hailed the achievement as remarkable progress, warning that the fight was to completely eliminate the virus.
Muhammed revealed that Katsina State will launch a large-scale integrated vaccination exercise from October 4 to 13, combining polio and measles-rubella immunizations.
He revealed that over 3.6 million doses of the novel oral polio vaccine (NOPV2) have been allocated to reach 2.3 million children under five, while 4.8 million children aged 9–14 will be immunized against measles and rubella.
According to him, the effort will deploy 2,253 vaccination teams across fixed and temporary posts, adding that 5,584 routine immunization teams with 3,761 going house-to-house, 993 covering transit points, and 830 operating from fixed sites will work between October 4 and 8 to ensure that no child was left out.
He reiterated that UNICEF has trained 3,300 health workers in enhanced communication skills and prepared 600 members of non-compliance resolution teams to address vaccine hesitancy in real time.
According to Muhammed, 200 special teams, made up of community leaders, traditional leaders, and vaccinators will also be on standby during the period.
He then urged the state government and relevant stakeholders to mobilise sufficient resources and support the campaign to attain zero cases of the virus.
