The Sokoto State Government has announced a renewed drive to end the circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 within its borders by 2026.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu made the declaration during a high-level meeting in Sokoto with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Although Nigeria was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020, outbreaks of the vaccine-derived variant have persisted in some northern states due to low immunization rates and logistical challenges.
Aliyu outlined a comprehensive strategy focusing on intensified vaccination campaigns, enhanced disease surveillance, and deeper community engagement to close immunity gaps. “Our goal is very clear: to interrupt the transmission of Poliovirus Type 2 and end its circulation in Sokoto State,” the governor stated.
To support this goal, the state government has released its 2024 counterpart funding for routine immunization and procured critical equipment—including deep freezers, generators, and motorcycles—to strengthen vaccine logistics and reach remote communities.
The administration has also recruited 1,500 nurses and midwives over the past two years and instituted a mandatory two-year rural posting for health workers to address staffing shortages at primary healthcare centers.
Dr. Chris Elias commended Sokoto’s commitment, emphasizing that strong political will and community-focused strategies are essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s polio-free status and protecting children from preventable diseases.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Dangote Foundation, the Gates Foundation’s Nigeria office, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, highlighting the collaborative effort required to achieve lasting public health gains.
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