By Willies Ugo, Gombe
GOMBE — May 2nd, 2025
The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has recorded significant progress in addressing vaccine hesitancy in parts of the state previously resistant to polio immunization.
The breakthrough was disclosed at the flag-off of the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs), where Dr. Oluseyi Olosunde, Health Officer at UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, urged urgency in tackling the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV), which continues to pose a threat despite the eradication of the wild poliovirus in 2020.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Olosunde noted that Nigeria has until the end of 2025 to eliminate the virus or risk losing international support for its polio eradication programme.
“In 2022, there were 126 reported cases of cVDPV. That number dropped to 87 in 2023 and 85 in 2024. However, 94 cases have already been recorded in the first two months of 2025 alone,” he said.
In Akko Local Government Area, particularly Garko ward—once identified as a hotspot for vaccine rejection—community engagement has significantly reduced resistance. Out of over 70 households that initially declined the vaccine, only 10 households with 15 children remained unvaccinated as of Monday morning, two days into the exercise.
Primary Health Care Coordinator for Akko LGA, Mohammed Umar Lawanti, attributed the shift to community-based interventions led by traditional authorities. He said many of the refusals stemmed from unmet expectations over government palliatives and mosquito nets.
“Through the Fathers Rapid Response Team (FRRT), mobilised by the Emir of Gona, we engaged directly with families. The task force has helped reverse most of the refusals, and we expect full compliance soon,” Lawanti stated.
He also revealed plans to incorporate women’s groups into the outreach efforts to further boost acceptance.
The Secretary of the Akko Emirate Council, Umar Adamu, affirmed the council’s active role in ensuring participation. “We work closely with vaccinators and respond to any resistance through established complaint channels,” he said.
Four LGAs in Gombe—Dukku, Kwami, Yamaltu-Deba, and Funakaye—are among 100 nationally flagged for having large numbers of children unreached by any form of immunization.
Dr. Olosunde stressed the stakes for Nigeria. “The international community has given Nigeria until the end of this year to eradicate the virus. Failure to meet this target may result in the withdrawal of external support,” he warned.
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