Borno Polio Survivor Urges Vaccination for Children

Adama Yerima, a polio survivor from Borno State, recounted her struggles with the disease during a media dialogue organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board in Maiduguri. Speaking on World Immunization Week, she described the limitations imposed by her condition, such as being unable to lift her hand, wave, or turn her head, and expressed her desire to experience simple actions like scratching her nose or running in the rain.

Yerima highlighted the importance of vaccination, urging parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine, which she referred to as a "miracle" that saves lives. She addressed misconceptions about vaccine side effects, clarifying that the risks of polio far outweigh any potential vaccine side effects.

Additionally, she called for increased efforts to vaccinate children in hard-to-reach areas of Borno State, where insurgency has hindered access to healthcare.