HealthHealthcare
Kwara Mobilizes for Polio Immunization
State-Wide Campaign Targets Under-Fives to Fortify Against Polio Threat
The Kwara State Government has planned to commence the April round of the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days campaign to boost the immunity of over a million children under five years and protect them against Polio disease. The exercise will be implemented in all sixteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state from Saturday, 26th, to Tuesday, 29th April 2025.
The Executive Secretary, of Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA), Prof. Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this yesterday during the planning meeting to ascertain the State’s level of preparedness for the campaign.
Prof. Elelu explained that poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under 5 years of age and the virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route or less frequently, by contaminated water or food, revealing that the virus multiplies in the intestine from where it can invade the nervous system and cause irreversible paralysis.
“Though the country is Wild Polio Virus free, there are threats around us as some countries are still isolating the Wild Polio Virus while the circulating virus is also a source of concern”, she added.
The Executive secretary noted that Kwara State will be implementing the April round alongside other states in the country as scheduled by the National Polio Emergency Operation Centre, emphasizing that children from ages 0-5 years are expected to be vaccinated irrespective of their previous vaccination status and stressed that the vaccine is safe, efficacious and does not have an overdose.
Prof. Elelu called on all parents, caregivers, religious leaders, schools, and Islamic institutions to make eligible children available for vaccination as the teams move from house to house, markets, religious houses, and schools.
 The Executive Secretary also said that the State Government will continue to partner with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund to sustain population immunity in the state, appreciating the support and commitment of the State Government, development partners, and health workers, who have been working tirelessly to ensure that Kwara is polio-free and sought their continuous dedication as another implementation is around the corner.
Prof. Elelu reiterated that training has begun in preparation for the April round for optimal implementation and commended the unwavering support and financial commitment of the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for prioritizing the health of all the citizenry by ensuring that quality healthcare service delivery is available and affordable in government-owned facilities across Kwara State. (kwaramoc.com.ng).
