The Lagos State Government has announced a comprehensive Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign across all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to prevent a resurgence of the wild poliovirus. This initiative is scheduled to run from Saturday, January 18, to Tuesday, January 22, 2025.
Dr. Abimbola Bowale, the supervising Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, emphasized the urgency of this campaign during a recent briefing on immunization activities. He highlighted the vulnerability of Nigeria to poliovirus reinfection, citing recent outbreaks of wild poliovirus type 1 in Malawi and Mozambique as cautionary examples.
Reflecting on past efforts, Dr. Bowale noted that the state commenced an Integrated Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIA) campaign on October 19, 2024. This significant public health intervention aimed to address gaps in immunization coverage and curb the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, targeting measles, yellow fever, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among high-risk populations.
The upcoming OBR campaign is a collaborative effort between the Lagos State Government and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. Its primary goal is to maintain Nigeria’s polio-free status, a milestone achieved with certification in August 2020. Dr. Bowale stressed the importance of this initiative, stating that without proper containment, there could be setbacks in the progress made against polio.
The previous immunization campaign yielded significant results:
- Measles Vaccination: 3,595,461 children were vaccinated, achieving 85% coverage.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination: 20,366,405 residents received the vaccine, reaching 95% coverage.
- HPV Vaccination: 163,553 eligible individuals were vaccinated.
These achievements were supported by extensive social mobilization efforts that reached over 21 million people and strengthened health systems through enhanced cold chain capacity and workforce training.
However, the campaign faced challenges, including delays in logistics funding, vaccine supply disruptions, and limited cold chain storage and logistics infrastructure. Addressing these issues is crucial for the success of the upcoming OBR campaign.
The Lagos State Government remains committed to safeguarding the health of its residents and ensuring the state remains free from vaccine-preventable diseases. The forthcoming polio vaccination drive is a testament to this commitment, aiming to protect the populace and uphold the nation’s polio-free status.
