Kwara Begins Polio Immunisation

The Kwara State government will today commence a statewide immunisation campaign against poliomyelitis targeting children aged zero to 59 months.

The social mobilisation officer of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Dupe Shittu, disclosed this during a sensitisation programme for journalists, social media influencers and media officers in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.

She said the exercise would run from Sunday to Wednesday, followed by two to three days of mop-up activities to ensure full coverage.

According to her, trained health personnel will move from house to house administering the oral vaccine to eligible children, while additional vaccination points will be set up in markets and religious centres.

Speaking on the epidemiology of poliomyelitis, she revealed that the state recorded two outbreaks in security-compromised areas, including two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2) in December 2025 in Kaiama Local Government Area, and an additional case in January 2026.

She noted that the vaccine is safe and effective, adding that it helps to build immunity in children and prevent the spread of the disease.

Shittu identified high-risk local government areas as Kaiama, Moro, Ifelodun, Ilorin East and Ilorin West, where intensified immunisation efforts will be carried out.

She appealed to parents and caregivers to present their children for vaccination, stressing that it is critical to safeguarding their health.