World Polio Day: 22,000 children in Bauchi at risk of polio

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has raised concerns that approximately 22,000 children in Bauchi State have missed routine immunization.

According to the UN agency, the shortfall has contributed to the ongoing outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), with Bauchi recording four cases of cVDPV2 in 2024, out of 73 cases nationwide.

UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique made the disclosure during a road walk on Thursday, held to mark this year’s World Polio Day.

She said that the deaths and disabilities caused by polio could be eradicated in Bauchi, Nigeria, and globally, if stakeholders maintain their commitment to ending polio outbreaks.

Rafique stressed that in order to fully eradicate polio, every child in every household must be vaccinated.

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However, she lamented that many children are still missing out.

“ The global decline in childhood immunization rates has led to a resurgence of polio outbreaks, even in countries that have been polio-free for decades.”

“The fight against polio is particularly challenging in the most difficult environments, but eradication is within reach. UNICEF delivers over one billion doses of polio vaccines annually, making it the largest contributor to global vaccine supply,” she said.

Rafique urged the government to prioritize polio vaccinations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas and communities with low immunization rates.

“Strengthen immunization systems to ensure that every child receives life-saving vaccines. Allocate necessary technical and financial resources to local efforts aimed at quickly addressing outbreaks and ensuring children are vaccinated.”

“Keep polio eradication high on the political agenda while adopting innovative solutions and coordinated actions to improve the quality of immunization campaigns,” she added.

She also called on the Bauchi Emirate Council to help mobilize parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated and to address cases of non-compliance during and after vaccination campaigns.