By Atoyebi Nike
Kwara State and 20 other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, will repeat the polio component of the nationwide Integrated Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign after gaps were detected in the October 2025 exercise.
The Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency announced that the resumed campaign, supported by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other partners, will again focus on children under five.
During a media dialogue on the November SNIPDs and HPV Intensification Campaign, the WHO Coordinator for Kwara, Dr. Eyitayo Emmanuel, represented by Dr. Gwomson Dauda, said field teams reported that some schools refused vaccination teams, claiming they had not received notification letters. Certain military and federal schools also turned the teams back despite formal communication.
Access barriers in gated estates and other logistical challenges further limited coverage, prompting the repeat round.
Dr. Dauda urged families to ignore myths around polio vaccination, warning that the disease remains dangerous. He noted that Kwara vaccinated over one million children during the previous round due to the state’s consistent fulfillment of counterpart funding obligations.
Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, represented by Dr. Oguntoyinbo, said the media plays a vital role in countering misinformation. She called for stronger awareness campaigns, especially in rural communities, to ensure citizens receive accurate information ahead of the next phase.
