Nigeria confronts significant challenges in immunizing children against poliovirus, particularly in conflict-affected regions. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, in partnership with WHO, has initiated the Targeted Local Outbreak Response strategy to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates. Recent campaigns have reached over 3.6 million children, though further efforts are planned to close existing immunity gaps and sustain progress against circulating variant poliovirus type 2.
The Jere Local Government Area in Borno State, Nigeria, exemplifies the ongoing challenges in halting poliovirus transmission, as illustrated by the case of four-year-old Amina. Despite her intermittent immunization since birth, Amina has missed critical vaccine doses due to her family’s unavailability during campaigns. This situation sheds light on broader issues facing Nigeria in eliminating poliovirus and other vaccine-preventable diseases in remote regions afflicted by conflict.
Nigeria’s national priority is to stop the transmission of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2). Recent reports indicate that from January 2024 to March 10, 2025, 122 confirmed cVPV2 cases were recorded in 15 states. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has implemented the Targeted Local Outbreak Response (TLR) strategy to fill immunity gaps and halt the virus’s spread, focusing particularly on high-risk areas.
A recent vaccination campaign aimed to immunize 3.8 million children in seven high-burden states, successfully reaching over 3.6 million with the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). However, issues such as caregiver noncompliance can impede vaccination efforts. Dr. Abdulkadir Usman Gana from NEOC emphasized the necessity for enhanced social mobilization to ensure that no child is overlooked, reiterating the need to address vaccine hesitancy to effectively interrupt cVPV2 transmission.
The NEOC operations working group, led by WHO, is pivotal in planning and overseeing TLR campaigns using a data-driven methodology. This approach involves analyzing various parameters, including the presence of cVPV2 isolates, immunity levels, and logistical requirements to tailor responses effectively. Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, commended this targeted strategy, stressing the potential to significantly reduce cVPV2 spread if decisive actions are taken swiftly.
WHO’s support included training over 18,727 health workers and deploying more than 6,000 personnel at various administrative levels to enhance campaign execution. The organization also facilitated coordination and logistics, as highlighted by Dr. Yusuf Muhammad Argungu, WHO State Coordinator for Sokoto. Empowering communities proved essential, with volunteers like Zayyanu Adamu engaging local residents to raise awareness about vaccination importance and addressing noncompliance directly.
To assess the effectiveness of vaccination initiatives, WHO assisted in Lot Quality Assurance Surveys (LQAS) to verify coverage data. These independent surveys yielded favorable results, revealing that 97% of surveyed local government areas achieved over 90% vaccination coverage, reflecting the success of recent campaigns.
Looking forward, Nigeria plans to initiate another TLR phase on March 12, 2025, to target 946,600 children across five states. While hurdles such as vaccine hesitancy remain, continued collaboration between NPHCDA, NEOC, WHO, and local communities underscores Nigeria’s resolve to protect every child from poliovirus. With sustained efforts and community trust, Nigeria inches closer to a polio-free future.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat poliovirus, particularly in high-risk communities, highlight the complexities of immunization challenges. The Targeted Local Outbreak Response strategy aims to address gaps in coverage and curb the transmission of circulating variant poliovirus type 2. Continued collaboration among health agencies, local communities, and international support is imperative as the nation seeks to ensure comprehensive protection for every child and ultimately achieve a polio-free status.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
