The Kwara State Government is set to commence a poliomyelitis immunisation campaign for children on March 29.

The exercise is aimed at curtailing ongoing transmission of the virus in the state.

The Social Mobilisation Officer at the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Dupe Shittu, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin during a meeting with media stakeholders on the March 2026 polio outbreak.

Speaking on the “Epidemiology of Poliomyelitis,” Ms Shittu said the state recorded two outbreaks in security-compromised areas.

“Two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant of Polio Virus 2 (cVDPV2) were recorded in December 2025 in Kiama Local Government, with another case in January 2026, ” she stated.

She explained that the vaccine exercise was an outbreak response aimed at building immunity among children.

She added, “High-risk local government areas include Kiama, Moro, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, and Ilorin West, where massive immunisation will be conducted.

“The immunisation exercise will take place from Sunday to Wednesday, with an additional two to three days for mop-up exercises. The campaign targets children aged zero to 59 months and will include house-to-house, fixed posts, and temporary posts such as markets and religious centre.”

Ms Shittu appealed to parents and caregivers to ensure their children were immunised.

She assured that the vaccine was safe and efficacious.

Also speaking, the UNICEF representative in Kwara State, Dr Usman Danlami, said the state accounted for 11 per cent of polio isolates in 2025.

He highlighted that other states, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Bauchi states were also grappling with confirmed cases.

He emphasised that there were nine confirmed polio cases nationwide.

Mr Danlami warned that polio had no treatment except the preventive vaccine and called on stakeholders to support the campaign to make Nigeria polio-free again.

The State Programme Officer at Chigari Foundation, Ademola Enikanoselu, urged media, religious bodies, market women, traditional leaders, and caregivers to assist in improving vaccine acceptance.

He emphasised the media’s role in combating misconceptions.

(NAN)