UNICEF, in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, has stepped up the ongoing polio immunization campaign across the state as part of the 2025 African Vaccination Week and National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs), with early reports indicating strong community participation.
The exercise, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, is focused on reaching all eligible children especially those previously missed through expanded house-to-house visits and intensified community engagement.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, said the campaign reflects a shared commitment to equitable vaccine access and improved child health outcomes.
“Together, we can reach every child, strengthen health systems, and restore immunization services disrupted by COVID-19,” he said during a press briefing in Jos.
He noted that Plateau had interrupted transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) for nine months and improved routine immunization coverage from 41.2 percent to 68 percent.
“The theme for this year, ‘Immunization for all is humanly possible,’ is a powerful call to action,” Ba’amlong added.
In Jos North, Local Government Immunization Officer Nimnan Zingzhi confirmed widespread mobilization across 20 wards.
“We have 298 teams deployed, and the turnout so far has been very encouraging. Communities are responding better than in previous rounds,” he told journalists.
At Dogon Agogo Primary Health Care Centre, Rebecca Yilji said parental turnout had improved significantly.
“We now see fathers and grandmothers bringing children for vaccination. The awareness is growing,” she observed.
Babatunde Alice, Officer in Charge at Jos Township Primary Health Care Centre, reported early success in her ward. “We rarely face refusals. Our teams are drawn from the community, so they understand how best to follow up and ensure no child is missed.”
WHO Facilitator Ibrahim Auta said household resistance had declined. “Most areas that used to reject vaccines are now more receptive. There are still a few concerns, but our Rapid Response Teams are working through them,” he explained.
Field supervisor Rifkatu Sunday, working in the Ibrahim Katsina Ward, reported that her team had already visited nearly 100 households since the campaign began.
“Everyone we met agreed to vaccinate their children. Where children weren’t home, we plan return visits,” she said.
The campaign is scheduled to run for four days, with two additional days set aside for mop-up operations to ensure full coverage.
