The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has called on stakeholders in Gombe State to become active participants in the fight against polio, warning that failure to act could undermine national progress.
The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, made the call during a sensitization programme in the state said, there is the need for increased awareness and action to ensure full compliance of immunization uptake in the state.
Dr Rafique who expressed dismay that Gombe State has over 53,000 children yet to receive a single dose of the vaccine, warned that the high number of zero-dose children posed a serious risk to Nigeria’s goal of eradicating polio by the end of 2025.
“Gombe has a huge burden of un-immunized children. More than 28,000 of them are in five local government areas: Akko, Funakaye, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku, and Kwami,” Dr. Rafique revealed.
She added that five LGAs Dukku, Yamaltu/Deba, Akko, Nafada, and Kaltungo have been identified as high-risk and require special attention.
UNICEF is calling on the Gombe State government, local authorities, traditional and religious leaders, and communities to intensify efforts to reach every child.
“This is a message for everyone from the household to the governor’s office. Every child must be vaccinated,” she said.
Dr. Rafique emphasized the importance of community-level engagement to overcome resistance and vaccine hesitancy, especially in areas where families have been unwilling to participate in previous immunization drives.
“We need to engage these families directly through counseling and support. By refusing the vaccine, they are putting all children at risk.”
With the nationwide campaign set to commence in April, Gombe’s role is pivotal in determining Nigeria’s success in becoming polio-free
