Polio Threat Persists in Nigeria, Urges Health Officials

Isah Yushua, a health official from the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, warned during a media engagement in Kaduna that polio continues to pose a serious threat to children in Nigeria. This warning coincided with activities marking World Immunization Week and Africa Vaccination Week.

Yushua highlighted that the virus is still circulating in nearby communities, making vaccination essential to protect children from severe outcomes like paralysis. He emphasized the importance of reaching children who have missed vaccinations due to hesitancy and challenges in immunization campaigns.

Yushua reassured parents that the oral polio vaccine is safe and effective, urging them to consult trained health workers for accurate information. He noted that every child requires multiple doses of the vaccine to achieve full protection and that vaccination campaigns will target 2.7 million children under five in upcoming exercises, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.