The United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) has referred to as for intensified efforts to cease polio transmission in Zamfara state.
The company stated the state accounts for 8 of the 18 circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Sort 2 (cVPV2) instances reported in Nigeria this yr.
UNICEF Chief of Area Workplace, Dr. Michael Juma, represented by the social coverage specialist, Isah Ibrahim, at a media dialogue o in Zamfara weekend, stated the built-in marketing campaign would concentrate on addressing zero-dose youngsters, non-compliance, false finger marking, and making certain all youngsters obtain 2 drops of oral polio vaccine plus a fractional dose of IPV.
“This built-in strategy, which mixes oral polio and fractional IPV, presents a wonderful alternative to reinforce vaccination protection, strengthen immunity, and enhance the probability of stopping polio transmission,” he stated.
UNICEF added that 5 states in Nigeria have reported polio instances this fiscal yr, they’re: Zamfara (8 cVPV2), Sokoto (4), Kebbi (4), Kwara (1), and Bauchi (1), with Kebbi additionally reporting 2 further cVPV3 instances and the figures point out steady transmission.
The company famous that in accordance with the current Nationwide Demographic and Well being Survey (NDHS), Penta 3 protection in Zamfara stays low and the state is amongst these with the best variety of zero-dose youngsters nationwide.
“Zero-dose youngsters are outlined as those that haven’t acquired a primary dose of the Pentavalent vaccine by age one,” he stated.
The April 2026 marketing campaign targets all youngsters throughout Zamfara’s 14 LGAs, with particular consideration to zero-dose communities. UNICEF expressed gratitude to the state and native governments, well being staff, and conventional and spiritual leaders for his or her assist in reaching underserved areas.