To maintain Nigeria’s position as a polio-free nation, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has announced plans to immunize approximately 1.2 million children against a new strain of variant, Poliovirus type2.

Mr Malan Haruna, the Acting Secretary Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCTA, declared this during the flag-off of the Routine Immunization Intensification Campaign in Abuja, saying the children will be vaccinated with two different types of vaccines: fractional inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV) and novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2).

According to him, the step is part of the FCT Administration’s proactive strategy to guarantee that children under the age of five receive immunizations to serve as immune boosters against the circulating type 2 polio strain.

Mr Haruna emphasized that even though Nigeria have been certified free of the Wild Polio Virus by WHO since August 25, 2020, the transmission of the new strain called Variant Poliovirus type2 (CVPV2) had continued in some part of the country, without any record of such case yet in FCT.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr Isah Vatsa who spoke on the danger of the new strain of type2 polio Virus, said the Virus if not checked could causes illness that may lead to paralysis in under- immunized or unimmunized population.

In terms of motivating parents and caregivers to make their babies available for the exercise, Dr. Vatsa stated that as an incentive, Nigeria-made Indomie Noodles will be given to every child who receives the vaccines, and that temporary vaccination points will be located in strategic locations such as churches, schools, markets, village squares, and other designated centers.

His words: “… there have not been any case in the FCT, but we know that the world is a global village, and the risk of importation of either the wild polio viruses and/or circulating Variant Polio Virus is very high. In 2022 alone, Nigeria reported 168 cases of this CVPV2. For Nigeria to be completely free from Polio, we must interrupt the residual risk of all forms of poliovirus and boost Routine Immunization coverage in the country…We have recorded only 14 cases in Nigeria in 2023”.

“we are starting in the FCT tomorrow 29th July 2023 till 11th August, is a supplemental immunization exercise aimed at interrupting the risk of transmission of all forms of the polio virus and boosting the Routine Immunization coverage in the FCT. The target is to reach and vaccinate every child 0 to 59 months of age in the FCT, irrespective of their previous vaccination status.” Vatsa said

Dr Kumshida Balami, WHO Representative for Integrated Health Service Delivery in the FCT, said efforts were ongoing to bridge the surveillance gap, boost children’s immunity, strengthen collaboration between security and traditional leaders, address poor sanitation, and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated, including children in IDPs.

The vaccination which is programmed to hold in two phases, will begin the first phase on 29th July 2023 till 4th August, and will cover 5 Area Councils, namely Abaji, Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada & Bwari Area Councils, while the second phase will commence from 5th August till 11th August 2023 strictly in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).