Lagos to Launch Statewide Polio Vaccination Campaign After Virus Detection in Makoko

 Lagos to Launch Statewide Polio Vaccination Campaign After Virus Detection in Makoko

The Lagos State Government is set to begin a statewide Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign on Saturday, November 8, 2025, to protect children from the risk of paralysis following the detection of an orphan circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2) in Makoko, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.

The campaign, coordinated by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners, aims to interrupt poliovirus transmission across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, mni, explained that environmental surveillance had identified traces of the virus in samples collected from the densely populated riverine community of Makoko — a sign of potential ongoing transmission.

He said the state government will conduct two intensive rounds of house-to-house vaccination, targeting all children under the age of five, regardless of their previous vaccination status. Each child will receive two drops of the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2), which has been certified safe and effective by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the WHO.

“Our goal is to ensure that every eligible child in Lagos receives the polio vaccine and remains protected from paralysis,” Dr. Mustafa said. “The detection of this virus is a reminder that polio remains a threat until it is completely eradicated. We urge all parents, caregivers, and community leaders to open their doors to health workers and cooperate fully with the vaccination teams.”

Dr. Mustafa added that the State Government has strengthened surveillance, vaccine logistics, and communication systems to guarantee a smooth and successful campaign. Stakeholder engagements have also been held with local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, and health workers to drive public participation.

He further assured that the vaccines are provided free of charge and have undergone strict safety and quality tests. Health workers have been trained in vaccine handling, administration, and adverse event monitoring to maintain the highest safety standards.

The Lagos State Government urged all residents to ensure that every child under five years of age receives the two drops of the polio vaccine during the campaign, emphasizing that collective cooperation is vital to keeping Lagos polio-free and safeguarding the health of future generations.