By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
Plateau State, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, has intensified efforts to eradicate polio as part of activities marking the African Vaccination Week 2025 and the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jos, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, emphasized that the campaign was part of a broader global effort to achieve equitable access to vaccines for every child and every community in the WHO African Region.
Ba’amlong highlighted the considerable progress made through immunization over the past 50 years, noting that vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives and drastically reduced infant mortality. Despite these gains, he said one in five children in Africa remains under-vaccinated.
“The theme for this year, ‘Immunization for all is humanly possible,’ is a powerful call to action,” Ba’amlong said. “Together, we can reach every child, strengthen health systems, and restore immunization services disrupted by COVID-19.”
He pointed to Plateau’s major strides against polio, with a significant decline in vaccine-derived polio cases between 2023 and 2024. The state, he said, had successfully interrupted transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) for nine months. Routine immunization coverage also rose from 41.2 percent to 68 percent, although it still falls short of the 90 percent national target.
Ba’amlong urged the Plateau State Government to increase investment in immunization financing to sustain gains and strengthen health systems.
“To sustain and build on this progress, I call on the Plateau State Government to increase domestic investment
“Vaccines must be integrated into essential services, and communities must stand firm against misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.” He stated.
Meanwhile, health workers in Jos North reported improved community response during the ongoing campaign. Nimnan Zingzhi, the Local Government Immunization Officer, noted that house-to-house teams were recording better parental awareness and acceptance of vaccines compared to previous rounds.
Similarly, Ibrahim Samailai Auta, a Facilitator with the World Health Organization (WHO), said there was a significant reduction in household refusals, with families showing greater willingness to participate.
At the Dogon Agogo Primary Health Care facility, Officer in Charge Rebecca Yilji observed an increase in the number of parents, including fathers and grandmothers, bringing children for vaccination. She appealed for additional space to accommodate the growing crowd.
At the Jos Township Primary Health Care Centre, Tafawa Balewa Street, Officer in Charge Babatunde Alice reported smooth conduct of the exercise but mentioned occasional shortages of needles and syringes, while Routine Immunization Focal Person Bridget George called for more trained staff to meet the growing demand.
The NIPDs campaign, supported by UNICEF, WHO, and other partners, remains focused on reaching all eligible children, especially those previously missed, through strengthened house-to-house visits and intensified community mobilization efforts.
