Kano Targets 3.4 Million Children in Fresh Polio Immunisation Drive

By Ladan Nasidi,Kano

Health authorities in Kano State have unveiled plans to launch a fresh round of polio immunisation in May 2026, targeting over 3.4 million children across the state’s 44 local government areas.

The Deputy State Immunisation Officer at the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Muhammad Hassan Nambapa, said the four-day campaign will commence on May 2, using the novel oral polio vaccine (NOPV) to protect children aged zero to five years.

“The campaign will run for four days, followed by two additional days of mobile outreach to capture missed children,” Nambapa stated. “Our teams will be deployed across communities to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.”

He explained that the exercise would adopt a house-to-house approach, alongside visits to public places such as markets and schools, to maximise coverage and reach eligible children.

Officials noted that the campaign is part of sustained efforts to consolidate gains in polio eradication, with a strong focus on identifying and vaccinating “zero-dose” children—those who have not received any routine immunisation, particularly the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine.

Representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) underscored the importance of coordination through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

“The NEOC will provide strategic oversight, real-time monitoring, and rapid response to any gaps identified during the campaign,” a representative said. “We are relying on data-driven strategies to address challenges such as non-compliance and missed settlements.”

Development partners, including UNICEF and Rotary International, are working closely with government agencies to support logistics, implementation, and community engagement.

Health officials also stressed the need for strong community trust and active involvement of traditional and religious leaders to counter vaccine hesitancy.

“Non-compliance remains a concern, often driven by misinformation or other factors,” officials said.

“However, targeted interventions and dedicated resolution teams have helped us resolve about 94 percent of such cases in previous campaigns.”

Authorities urged parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination, emphasising that immunisation remains one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of poliovirus and protect child health.