As the 2025 Polio Immunisation Outbreak Response (OBR) entered its second day in Sokoto State, stakeholders monitoring the exercise across three local lovernment areas have expressed optimism for a successful outcome.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day campaign, which began on Saturday will run through Wednesday.
It aims to immunise children against the circulating variant poliovirus type 2, as part of national efforts to eradicate polio transmission by December 2025.
The exercise targets three high-risk LGAs; Wamakko, Sokoto South, and Sokoto North.
They were identified as having the highest rates of non-compliance in previous rounds.
Vaccination teams are focusing on all eligible children across the state’s 244 wards, with special attention on areas with a history of resistance to immunisation.
Dr Larai Tambuwal, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, commended parents and caregivers for supporting the government’s directives during a monitoring visit on Sunday.
“As you can see, parents and caregivers are now willingly mobilising their children for vaccination.
“I want to assure you that the current exercise will surely record a positive outcome.
“Today is just the second day. However, together with our development partners, we will continue our efforts throughout the OBR period to ensure maximum coverage,” she said.
Tambuwal highlighted that the exercise went beyond routine immunisation, describing it as a crucial campaign to safeguard future generations.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving full compliance across the state.
“We are targeting over one million children aged 0-5 years. With the current level of engagement, we are confident that no child will be left out,” she assured.
In Sokoto North LGA, many parents and caregivers were seen voluntarily presenting their children to vaccinators, although some households in the Bazza area had rejected the vaccines.
Latifa Mustapha, a UNICEF Facilitator, said, “Households that refuse vaccination will be reported to the non-compliance committee for further action.”
Meanwhile, in Sokoto South LGA, the Council Chairman, Ya’u Danda, monitored the vaccination efforts, urging the parents to ensure that their children were fully immunised.
He emphasised the safety and effectiveness of the polio vaccine and expressed confidence that the OBR exercise would achieve the government’s desired goals.
Similarly, in Wamakko LGA, another key area within the metropolis, the parents actively brought their children to receive the polio vaccine from the health officials.
Mr Habibu Kilgori, a UNICEF Facilitator in the area, explained that several measures had been put in place to address non-compliance and prevent fake finger-marking practices.
“These include engaging independent supervisors and representatives fromthe civil society organisations to monitor the exercise,” he said.
Kilgori further added that the campaign was being closely monitored by partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to him, this was with the overarching goal of halting the spread of the poliovirus and protecting children’s health. (NAN)
