Anambra Gears Up for Comprehensive Polio Vaccination Campaign Across the State

 

Determined to eliminate the lingering threat of poliomyelitis among children, the Anambra State Government has declared its readiness to commence the first phase of the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) against the Type-2 Poliovirus. The campaign, which will span from May 3 to May 6, is expected to reach every eligible child within the state’s borders.

At a stakeholders’ engagement session held in Awka, Mrs. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), announced the impending campaign, aiming to target children aged zero to 59 months. Her message was delivered by Dr. Ngozi Okeke, the Director of Community Health Services at ASPHCDA.

The state’s strategy hinges on the deployment of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine (NOPV), a next-generation formulation specifically designed to combat the devastating poliovirus. This vaccine is being hailed as a game-changer in the fight against a disease that has historically crippled, maimed, or even claimed the lives of many children.

Polio, a disease once on the brink of global eradication, continues to pose challenges, especially with the re-emergence of the Type-2 strain. The urgency to inoculate children before the virus can regain a foothold has become a top public health priority, not just for Anambra but across Nigeria.

Health workers will fan out across the state to administer the vaccine in a sweeping operation that includes door-to-door visits and immunisation posts strategically placed at health centres, markets, churches, mosques, motor parks, schools, and other community hubs. The aim is to leave no child behind, regardless of geography or social status.

Mobilising public support and ensuring mass participation will be critical to the campaign’s success. Dr. Bonos Mohammed, the Anambra State Coordinator for the World Health Organisation (WHO), underscored the indispensable role of grassroots influencers. According to him, religious and traditional leaders must rally their communities and actively counter misinformation or vaccine hesitancy that could derail the exercise.

"This is not just another campaign," Dr. Mohammed declared. "It is the final window of opportunity to shut the door on polio in Nigeria. We need every child to receive this vaccine so we can build herd immunity strong enough to protect everyone.”

Community buy-in has already begun to take shape. Representatives from various groups—including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), civil society organisations, traditional rulers, and officials from the Ministry of Education—were present at the stakeholders' meeting and expressed a unified commitment to the campaign.

Mrs. Uju Onwuegbuzina, the State Health Educator, highlighted the level of preparation that has gone into the initiative. She confirmed that field vaccination officers had undergone intensive training and were already deployed throughout the local government areas to ensure that both rural and urban communities are well-covered.

“The training was meticulous, focusing on safe vaccine handling, public engagement, and the technicalities of vaccine delivery,” Onwuegbuzina stated. “We have made sure that our teams are ready and capable of delivering this life-saving intervention.”

Across Anambra’s communities, local leaders are being encouraged to use their influence to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of immunisation. Myths and misinformation have long posed barriers to vaccination efforts in some parts of Nigeria, and the current campaign seeks to preempt resistance through proactive engagement.

The state government, in collaboration with WHO and other health partners, has rolled out public sensitisation materials in local dialects, aiming to make the message accessible to everyone. Posters, radio jingles, and mobile megaphones will be part of the multi-channel approach to ensure awareness reaches the grassroots.

Health experts emphasize that the vaccine being used—NOPV—is both safe and effective. Designed to address previous challenges associated with the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), the NOPV has demonstrated better genetic stability and a lower risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks.

“We cannot afford to be complacent. This vaccine gives us a real chance to end polio transmission once and for all,” Dr. Okeke stressed during the meeting. “Every single child vaccinated moves us one step closer to a polio-free Anambra and Nigeria at large.”

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are being urged to bring their children forward during the four-day exercise. Immunisation cards will be issued, and follow-up visits planned for children who may not be available during the initial round.

As the countdown to May 3 begins, anticipation is growing across the state. With collective resolve from health officials, local leaders, and international partners, Anambra is setting the stage for what could become a historic step toward eradicating one of the most dreaded childhood diseases from its communities once and for all.