The Kano State government has set a target to vaccinate 3.9 million children under the age of five during the June 2025 outbreak response (OBR) campaign.

Nasir Mahmoud, director-general of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, announced this during a media dialogue on Thursday in Kano.

Mr Mahmoud explained that the campaign aligned with the national strategy to eradicate polio and maintain Nigeria’s polio-free certification.

He said the vaccination drive became necessary due to the recent resurgence of the type 2 poliovirus in parts of the state.

According to him, factors such as community resistance, poor data reporting, and insecurity have contributed to the virus’s re-emergence by hindering previous immunisation efforts.

“Ungogo Local Government Area recorded the highest level of non-compliance during the May 2025 campaign.

“To improve vaccination coverage, local government areas are now ranked monthly based on performance,” he said.

Mr Mahmoud reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to eradicating polio by December 2025. He pledged to significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate within the same timeframe, describing both goals as top priorities.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration with traditional rulers and the 44 local government chairs to overcome challenges.

Rahma Mohammed, UNICEF chief of the field office in Kano, highlighted that surveillance conducted in 2025 detected the virus in Warawa, Bunkure, Kano Municipal, and Nasarawa local government areas.

“This is unacceptable and must be halted. Polio remains a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly and knows no borders,” he warned.

Mr Mohammed emphasised that even a single case of polio anywhere posed a threat to children everywhere and called for coordinated efforts to contain the outbreak.

He urged all levels of government, traditional rulers, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure full vaccination coverage, especially in high-risk areas.

Mr Mohammed reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts and called for the timely release of counterpart funding and stronger supervision of immunisation campaigns.

He also urged the government to declare a public health emergency and increase media engagement to counter misinformation about the vaccine.

(NAN)