By Nworisa Michael
The Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA) has intensified preparations for a statewide polio vaccination campaign, aiming to achieve 100 per cent coverage among children under five years.
The campaign, part of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs), is scheduled to hold from March 28 to 31, 2026.
Speaking during an awareness session organised in collaboration with the Gombe State Ministry of Health and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Health Educator Sallau Malami called on media practitioners and social media influencers to amplify awareness across the state.
He stressed the vital role of the media in ensuring the success of the exercise, urging widespread dissemination of information to reach all communities.
According to Malami, the immunisation drive targets children aged zero to 59 months, who are most vulnerable to poliovirus infection, with health authorities prioritising total coverage.
“The beneficiaries are children from 0 to 59 months that is, under five years. We are targeting 100 per cent coverage,” he said.
He explained that the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to sustain Nigeria’s polio-free status and prevent any resurgence, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
Malami also appealed to parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination, assuring that the vaccines are safe, effective, and provided at no cost.
He further called on community leaders, religious institutions, and other stakeholders to support mobilisation efforts and address vaccine hesitancy.
“The success of this programme depends on public awareness and cooperation. We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure no child is left behind,” he added.
Health authorities say sustained collaboration and community participation remain critical to protecting children from preventable diseases and maintaining gains recorded in polio eradication efforts.
