By Julian Osamoto
Yobe State has vaccinated 43,720 children against poliomyelitis during supplementary immunisation campaigns in 2026, as health authorities work to close immunity gaps across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Hadiza Sabo, disclosed this during the commemoration of World Polio Day in Damaturu.
Sabo said vaccination coverage above 100 per cent highlighted the need to verify target populations and improve planning data.
She urged health officials to use the data to identify gaps, improve planning and reach seven settlements reported to have been missed during the campaigns.
Sabo credited health workers, community mobilisers, traditional and religious leaders, local authorities and development partners for supporting the vaccination exercise.
She, however, warned against complacency, saying the remaining polio campaigns scheduled for November and December 2026 were crucial to closing outstanding immunity gaps.
The Permanent Secretary called for adequate operational resources, reliable vaccine supplies and cold-chain facilities, effective community mobilisation and prompt follow-up of children missed during vaccination.
The World Health Organisation’s State Coordinator, Hamisu Alhassan, urged parents to take their children to the nearest health facility for routine immunisation and other essential health services, rather than waiting for vaccination campaigns.
