Dr. Idowu Audu, Deputy Incident Manager, National Polio Emergency Operations, said Nigeria consumes 70% of the world’s polio vaccine but is struggling to achieve eradication.
He stated this at the third quarter review and engagement meeting of the Kwara State Traditional Leaders Council Health Committee held in Ilorin on Saturday.
Audu highlighted that despite widespread vaccine consumption, there is a resurgence of polio cases, especially in northern Nigeria.
Audu expressed concern that the virus continues to infect children across Nigeria, stressing that although we are consuming a significant portion of the world’s polio vaccine, cases of polio remain prevalent, especially in some northern states.
Audu accounts for approximately 35% of the current prevalence in Zamfara alone, indicating significant regional concentration.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy
Dr. Audu said much of the ongoing polio threat is due to vaccine resistance and community non-compliance. “Instances of non-conformity are buried and hidden. “These are some of the problems that are hindering the country’s vaccination program.” he explained.
- Audu urged traditional leaders to actively support the government to ensure routine immunization against polio, measles and whooping cough, arguing that community engagement is essential to overcome challenges of non-compliance and resistance.
- Represented by Dr. Nusirat Elelu, Director-General of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Dr. Michael Oguntoye, Director of Primary Health Care Systems at the agency, said there was a need for collaboration between government agencies, traditional institutions and communities to address vaccine hesitancy. Improves absorption. “This integration is about strong participation in community ownership of the vaccine program.” she said
- Elelu urged residents to fully participate in the vaccination drive, saying:We need communities to trust and support these programs to protect their children and future generations.” She also reiterated that trained health professionals are in place to ensure the vaccination program is administered effectively across the province.
Ademola Enikanselu, Program Director of Chigari Foundation in Kwara, emphasized the need for the involvement of traditional leaders in tracking vaccine progress. He encouraged leaders: “Monitor vaccine coverage and uptake in your community and report issues that may impede progress, such as vaccine shortages.” Dr. Enikanselu emphasized that continuous evaluation and adaptation of immunization efforts is essential to achieve polio eradication.
What you need to know
Polio remains a serious health threat, especially to infants and young children, as it is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water. If left untreated, the virus can cause severe paralysis or even death.
- Nigeria, currently classified by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the International Health Regulations (IHR) as a country affected by circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, reported 62 outbreaks in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions.
- WHO recently achieved pre-qualification of the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a milestone achieved in three years under Emergency Use Listing (EUL). Developed with input from scientists at the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), nOPV2 has been rigorously tested and proven effective in vaccinated populations.
To further support polio eradication efforts in Nigeria, Rotary International has pledged an additional $14 million in grants to specifically strengthen ongoing efforts to eradicate the circulating variant of poliovirus (cVPV2).
