The Kogi State Government has launched a polio vaccination campaign, coinciding with the celebration of African Vaccination Week, to protect children from the debilitating effects of poliovirus.
The campaign is launched by Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) in collaboration with State Ministry of Health & Partners, to commemorate the Integrated 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) and African Vaccination Week (AVW).
The Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, who flagged off the campaign on Saturday, emphasized that vaccines save lives.
He stressed that the key objective NIPDs and AVW, was aimed to increase immunisation coverage and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr. Abdulazeez, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Dorcas Enehe, called on parents and caregivers to welcome vaccinators and ensure their children are protected by vaccination.
The commissioner emphasised that the campaign was about prevention, protection, and the collective future of the state’s children.
“This is about prevention, protection and our colective future. Let us work together to keep polio out of Kogi State and ensure no child is missed,” Abdulazeez said.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr. Muazu Musa, emphasized the importance of immunisation in saving lives and building healthier communities.
Dr Mu’azu said the campaign aimed to bridge immunization gaps and protect Kogi State’s children from poliovirus, and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to him, the campaign, which runs from April 26 to 29, targets children aged 0 to 59 months and aims to ensure that no eligible child is left unvaccinated.
The ED KSPHCDA appreciated the hardworking frontline health workers, community mobilizers, partners, and volunteers whose efforts make the campaign possible.
Dr. Mu’azu urged parents and caregivers to open their doors to vaccination teams and ensure their children receive the life-saving vaccine.
“As we mark this year’s African Vaccination Week, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to equity in immunization. No child should miss out on vaccines because of where they live or who they are.
“With the collective effort of the government, healthcare workers, partners, and the community, Kogi State can remain polio-free and build a healthier, stronger future for its children,” Dr Mu’azu said.
The representatives of partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and NPHCDA, reassured Kogi Government of their commitment to ensuring every eligible child is vaccinated against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
“UNICEF will keep supporting Kogi to ensure that the state polio free status is maintained, while ensuring an increased immunisation against vaccine preventable disease,” UNICEF rep., Amb. AK Hudu said.
The Traditional Ruler, the Ohiegba of Mozum, HRH King Bukar Khalid, also promised the commitment of traditional institutions to encourage and mobilize the people to ensure every eligible child is immunised.
