Kano Targets 3.9m Children in Fourth Round of Polio Vaccination Campaign
By Pulse Time Nigeria
The Kano State Government has announced plans to vaccinate 3,928,313 children aged 0–5 years in the fourth round of the November 2025 Polio Vaccination Campaign.
The Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Board (KSPHCDB), Prof. Salisu Ahmad, disclosed this during a media dialogue organised in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners.
He said the four-day exercise, scheduled to begin on Saturday, 29th November 2025, will adopt a house-to-house strategy alongside fixed vaccination posts located in mosques, churches, markets, streets, and health facilities.
Represented by the Board’s Social Behavioural Change Officer, Nasir Kabir, the DG explained that the campaign is aimed at sustaining progress made in reducing circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) across the state.
He added that the exercise will also integrate other routine immunisation services, including HPV vaccines, vitamin A supplementation, deworming tablets, and nutrition support for mothers and pregnant women.
In his remarks, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahama Farah, commended the state for reducing polio cases by more than 80 percent compared to 2024. According to him, Kano—one of the 21 priority states—will conduct the campaign across all 44 LGAs and 484 wards, targeting at least 95 percent coverage.
“Kano has made remarkable progress with only three confirmed cases this year, down from 17 affected LGAs in 2024,” he stated.
Farah emphasised the critical role of community mobilisation, noting that radio remains a vital tool for reaching remote and underserved communities.
He also warned that any lapse in vaccination efforts could allow the virus to resurface, stressing that Nigeria is pushing to achieve zero polio cases by December 2025.
Also speaking, the NPHCDA North-West Zonal Director, Dr. Kabiru Mohammed, represented by State Coordinator Maryam Umar, urged social and youth influencers to intensify efforts in countering misinformation and encouraging caregivers to ensure their children receive the vaccine.
She cautioned that persistent myths and rumours continue to endanger children despite the substantial gains recorded. According to her, the November campaign provides another opportunity to close immunity gaps and reach children who may have been missed previously.
The organisers disclosed that the state has deployed 3,300 health workers, 870 non-compliance resolution team members, and more than 6,723 vaccination teams, alongside special teams assigned to densely populated areas to ensure comprehensive coverage.