Kaduna Intensifies Polio Drive, Targets Every Child as Campaign Gains Momentum

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Kaduna State is ramping up efforts to protect every child from polio, with health authorities reinforcing strategies to reach underserved communities and sustain high immunization coverage.

The State Health Education Officer, Isa Yusha’u, said recent campaigns have recorded strong success, with the last round surpassing its target and vaccinating over 2.8 million children.

He described the progress as a clear sign of growing public trust and effective collaboration across communities.

“We are making steady progress, but our focus now is to ensure no child is left behind,” Yusha’u said.

He noted that the state is strengthening engagement with parents, schools, and community leaders to improve acceptance and expand reach, especially in hard-to-access areas.

According to him, innovative approaches such as community sensitization and local outreach initiatives are helping to close remaining gaps.

Yusha’u reassured caregivers that the oral polio vaccine administered as two drops is safe, free, and highly effective in protecting children from paralysis and death.

He emphasized that multiple doses are essential for full protection and safe for all eligible children, including newborns.

He urged parents to continue presenting their children for vaccination during campaigns and routine immunization visits, stressing that collective action is key to ending polio transmission.

“With the level of commitment we are seeing, Kaduna is on the right path. If every child is vaccinated, we can stop polio for good,” he said.

The Health Educator say the renewed push reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding children’s health and securing a polio-free future for the state and the country.