By Jamilu Abubakar
The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, is targeting about 900,000 children in the ongoing polio immunisation campaign across the state.
The Immunisation Plus Days exercise, which is gaining momentum, is aimed at increasing coverage and bringing Gombe closer to a polio-free status.
UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, says the 2026 campaign is critical to Nigeria’s final push to eradicate polio.
She commended the state government for its commitment, noting that health workers are intensifying efforts to ensure that no eligible child is left out.
The five-day campaign began with flag-off activities at both state and local government levels, with teams moving into hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
Dr. Rafique also praised Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the state’s health leadership for holding daily review meetings to track progress and address challenges.
She highlighted the strong involvement of traditional rulers and emirs in mobilising communities for the exercise.
UNICEF has provided over 965,000 doses of oral polio vaccines, while the state has maintained effective storage and distribution systems to support vaccination teams across all local government areas.
The campaign is also focusing on more than 50,000 zero-dose children who have never received routine immunisation.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman Shu’aibu, says extensive sensitisation was carried out ahead of the exercise.
He explained that traditional and religious leaders, as well as women and youth groups, were engaged to improve acceptance and reduce resistance.
Despite this, he noted that some pockets of non-compliance still exist, but assured that efforts are ongoing to address the challenge through community engagement.
Dr. Shu’aibu added that vaccination teams, selected from within communities, are being trained and supported with daily refresher sessions.
He expressed confidence that the campaign will achieve over 95 per cent coverage.
Parents and caregivers are urged to present children between zero and 59 months for vaccination, as the oral polio vaccine is safe, effective and free.
The campaign continues with house-to-house visits across the state, as health officials intensify efforts to reach every child.
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