Kano Targets 3.9 Million Children in New Polio Vaccination Drive

The Kano State Government has launched an extensive polio vaccination campaign aiming to reach 3.9 million children under the age of five across its 44 local government areas. The campaign began with fixed-post vaccinations in 11 LGAs on June 11, while house-to-house immunization is scheduled to run from June 14 to 18. This effort is being carried out in partnership with UNICEF and other health stakeholders to strengthen immunity among young children and prevent the spread of poliovirus.

The urgency of the campaign follows the detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in multiple areas of Kano, including Warawa, Bunkure, Nassarawa, and Kano Municipal. Though the number of reported cases has dropped from 31 in 2024 to 4 in 2025, health officials are concerned that poor immunisation coverage, resistance from some communities, and hard-to-reach locations could reverse recent progress. The government has adopted a monitoring framework that ranks each LGA monthly to assess and address performance issues.

UNICEF has called on the Kano government to declare a state of emergency on the new outbreak, urging stronger political will and coordinated action to meet the national eradication goal by December 2025. Key players in the campaign include traditional leaders, religious clerics, local council chairpersons, and health workers, all of whom have been enlisted to boost public trust and awareness about the safety and necessity of the vaccine.

Dr. Nasiru Mahmoud of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board affirmed Kano's commitment to reaching every eligible child, using both fixed-site operations and mobile teams. He emphasized that the success of the campaign depends on accurate data, efficient logistics, and active community participation. With only six months left before the national deadline, Kano's leadership says it is determined to close the immunity gap and eliminate the last traces of the virus within its borders.

Share to: