Community confidence rises as Yobe records major gains in polio surveillance, child immunisation
By Ahmed Isah
Yobe has achieved full polio surveillance coverage across its 17 local government areas, marking a key milestone that has boosted community confidence in vaccination efforts.
Dr Umar Chiroma, Director of Immunisation at the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Board and Incident Manager of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), said the progress reflected strong collaboration between state authorities, traditional leaders and global health partners.
He said all LGAs now met the minimum polio surveillance indicators due to intensified monitoring supported by UNICEF, WHO, CDC, CGPP and other partners.
Chiroma said the gains came alongside improved team selection under the national strategic shift, which empowered traditional institutions, ward officers and partners to vet vaccination teams, strengthening house-to-house delivery and reducing dropout rates.
He praised the commitment of LGA chairmen and the Yobe Emirate Council, noting that their involvement in resolving non-compliance and mobilising communities had significantly increased acceptance.
Chiroma said renewed community ownership was crucial as Yobe entered 2025, a year that later proved challenging with eight cases of circulating variant poliovirus and a detected type-3 virus.
He said the resurgence ranked Yobe among high-risk states, prompting two national response rounds in April and June, during which thousands of children under five received vaccines.
He urged sustained government leadership and continued partner support to deepen engagement with religious leaders, community groups and the media to counter misinformation and generate demand for routine immunisation.
UNICEF’s State Team Lead, Dr Okoli Ernest, said the November polio round targeted children aged 0 to 59 months to reduce childhood morbidity and ensure every eligible child received protection.
He said the round delivered integrated health services, especially to rural communities lacking access to primary healthcare, and tackled hesitancy by working through traditional rulers, influencers and community mobilisation platforms.
Ernest said data on zero-dose children and areas with high dropout rates guided the selection of priority settlements to ensure full coverage.
He said UNICEF continued to support vaccine availability, last-mile delivery and community sensitisation to reduce non-acceptance.
A Ward Facility Manager in Nayinawa, Esther Salihu, said partner support made her work easier and strengthened community enlightenment on immunisation benefits.
She said households now accepted vaccines more willingly as awareness increased.
A mother, Malama Hauwa Bulama, who brought her daughter for immunisation, expressed gratitude to the vaccination team for their commitment and care.
Our Correspondent reports that the dialogue and field mission held in Damaturu focused on the theme: “Reporting Polio, Covering Gaps and Milestones: For Every Child, Immunisation and Integrated Health Services.”
