By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency (TSPHCDA), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on media partners to intensify public awareness campaigns ahead of the upcoming Polio Immunization exercise in the state.
The statewide polio vaccination campaign targeting children aged 0–5 years, is a decisive move to safeguard children’s health.
The immunization exercise which will cover Nineteenth Northern states as well as Lagos and Oyo will also targets children aged 0 to 59 months and is scheduled to hold from December 13 to 16, 2025.
Officials from TSPHCDA and UNICEF, speaking during a one-day mobilization dialogue said that the initiative aims is to strengthen children’s immune systems against polio.
“Taraba State exceeded 100% on its polio immunizations, this is due to the good job by the media.
“Polio is a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another, because it is an air disease.
According to the Health officials, lack of good hygiene also contribute to the causes of the disease and urge people to advance the polio campaign to reduce or eradicate it completely.
“Many Countries have knocked out polio, but still have it in Nigeria because of our negative perception. When everyone is immunized, all will be wiped out.
They pointed out that children with fever can be vaccinated within four days, adding that during the campaign, children that has fever should not be vaccinated.
“We urged journalists, social media influencers, and youth leaders to step up efforts in countering misinformation and myths that could undermine the forthcoming Subnational Immunization Plus Days (SIPDs), and to ensure widespread public awareness about the exercise.
Meanwhile Jennifer Dabo, UNICEF’s representative in Taraba State, described the previous campaign as unprecedented in turnout and urged the same level of public awareness for the upcoming polio vaccination drive.
On his part, Head of the State Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (SERIC), Nafiu Umar, lauded journalists and community influencers for their role in the success of the recent Rubella vaccination campaign.
In his presentation, Dr. Tsamu Yaro, explained that the polio vaccination will focus on children under five, while other integrated immunization services will cover children aged 0–23 months.
“We still have people who are rejecting the vaccine, for they placed more values on mosquito nets than the vaccine. We have interface with Religious, Traditional Rulers, Churches, Mosques and Students on the importance of the vaccine.
“Despite efforts, people are still ignorant of the vaccine – he said.
He urge parents to disclose any underlying health conditions, as children with health challenges will not be vaccinated.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the Agency, Victoria Danbaba, warned against myths and misinformation surrounding vaccination.
“Polio vaccines are globally accepted, some communities remain skeptical, making public sensitization crucial.
She disclosed that additional routine immunizations would be administered alongside the polio vaccine.
The campaign will cover wards, villages, and communities across all 16 Local Government Areas and the two Special Development Areas in Taraba State.
“We encourage parents and caregivers to make their eligible children available for vaccination. Sick children will not be vaccinated until they are fully well.
“A two-day mop-up exercise will take place after the main campaign to reach children who were not vaccinated initially and to address any cases of non-compliance,” the officials added.
Over Nine Thousand settlements in Taraba State will be vaccinated during the period.