Dr Idowu Audu, Deputy Incident Manager of National Polio Emergency Operations, disclosed that Nigeria utilizes 70% of the world’s polio vaccines yet struggles to eradicate the disease.
This is particularly alarming in northern regions, where polio cases persist, with Zamfara state accounting for 35% of the current prevalence. The prevalence of polio in Zamfara can also be traced to 2008, when the state made up two-thirds of the nation’s cases, with regions in Kano equally experiencing high prevalence.
The Struggle With Polio Management In Nigeria
The leading obstacles to overcoming polio in Nigeria are vaccine hesitancy and community non-compliance. Audu stressed that community involvement is crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring routine polio, measles, and whooping cough vaccinations.
Experts emphasise that collaboration between government agencies, traditional institutions, and communities is crucial to improving vaccine uptake and addressing hesitancy. Traditional leaders are urged to monitor vaccine progress, report issues, and support immunization drives to protect children and future generations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified a novel type 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), which has demonstrated effectiveness in immunized populations. Additionally, Rotary International has pledged $14 million to fight Circulating Variant Poliovirus (cVPV2) in Nigeria.
The classification of Nigeria as a state infected with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, coupled with 62 outbreaks in 2022, spotlights the urgent need for effective interventions. Polio remains a significant health threat, primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, and can lead to severe paralysis or fatality if necessary intervention does not occur.
To tackle polio, Nigeria needs a multi-faceted approach that addresses vaccine hesitancy, guarantees community involvement, and leverages effective interventions.
