Polio Outbreak: Kwara Begins Mass Vaccination March 29
The Kwara State Government has announced plans to commence a statewide polio immunization campaign on March 29, 2026, in response to recent outbreaks recorded in parts of the state.
The Social Mobilization Officer of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Dupe Shittu, disclosed this during a meeting with media stakeholders in Ilorin. She explained that the exercise is aimed at curbing the spread of poliomyelitis and boosting immunity among children.
According to Shittu, two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2) were recorded in December 2025 in the Kiama Local Government Area, with an additional case reported in January 2026. She noted that the affected areas are largely security-compromised, increasing the risk of transmission.
The immunization campaign will target children aged 0 to 59 months and will be conducted from Sunday to Wednesday, followed by two to three days of mop-up activities. Vaccination will be administered through house-to-house visits, as well as at fixed and temporary posts in public places such as markets and religious centres.
High-risk local government areas identified for the exercise include Kiama, Moro, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, and Ilorin West.
Shittu urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated, stressing that the vaccine is safe and effective.
Also speaking, the UNICEF representative in Kwara State, Dr. Usman Danlami, revealed that Kwara ranked 11th in polio isolates recorded in 2025. He added that Nigeria currently has nine confirmed cases of polio, with states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, and Kwara affected.
Danlami emphasized that polio has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination. He called on stakeholders to support the campaign to help Nigeria achieve a polio-free status.
In his remarks, the State Programme Officer of the Chigari Foundation, Mr. Ademola Enikanoselu, appealed to the media, religious leaders, traditional rulers, market women, and caregivers to promote vaccine acceptance and counter misinformation.
The state government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding children’s health and urged collective action to stop the spread of the virus.
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