Polio time bomb: Plateau on red alert as 68,000 children await polio vaccine

No fewer than 68,000 children are set to receive polio vaccines in Plateau State, according to UNICEF.

The United Nations Children’s Fund disclosed the plan during an advocacy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba, in Jos.

Ms Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Officer, revealed this on Wednesday while addressing traditional stakeholders in the state capital.

She explained that the vaccination drive would cover high-risk areas like Jos North, Jos South, Shendam, and Wase local councils.

Five additional zero-dose districts in the state have also been marked for intervention under the fresh vaccination plan.

Rafique said the campaign would commence with a catch-up phase before the official campaign between April 26 and 30.

A second round of vaccination is also planned for December to ensure children not reached initially are covered.

She said, “The idea is to leave no child behind, no matter how remote or risky the location may be.”

Mobile vaccination teams will be deployed, and they will operate under tight security in volatile communities across the state.

Traditional and religious leaders are also expected to play a major role in mobilising their communities for the exercise.

Rafique added that UNICEF is partnering with local media outfits to tackle vaccine-related misinformation in the state.

Vaccination posts will be located in royal palaces to build public trust and encourage wider community participation.

“We are setting up posts in palaces and working closely with traditional rulers to overcome hesitancy,” she noted.

There will also be weekly follow-ups in resistant communities to monitor acceptance and identify lingering challenges.

Primary health centres across Plateau will be strengthened to sustain routine immunisation efforts after the campaign ends.

She said the strategy is designed to close immunity gaps and build a stronger, more resilient health system statewide.

Plateau Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicolas Baamlung, described the figure of unvaccinated children as alarming and unacceptable.

Baamlung said the state had already launched an early catch-up drive in collaboration with the Primary Health Care Agency.

He noted that traditional rulers, local council bosses, and community leaders are being mobilised to reach difficult terrains.

He said, “Visible leadership from our rulers and leaders is key to breaking vaccine resistance in many communities.”

The Gbong Gwom Jos assured full traditional support, pledging to summon all district and village heads immediately.

He promised that traditional rulers would demonstrate leadership by publicly vaccinating children and encouraging cultural acceptance.

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