The United Nations Children’s Fund,UNICEF, is set to vaccinate no fewer than 68,000 children in Plateau State in a renewed push to eliminate polio.
Ms Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF Bauchi Field Officer, made this known in Jos on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba.
Rafique said a well-coordinated plan has been developed to reach unvaccinated children across Plateau, particularly in high-risk locations such as Jos North, Jos South, Shendam, Wase, and five other zero-dose districts where children have never received any dose of polio vaccine.
She explained that the strategy includes immediate catch-up immunisation activities, ahead of the formal campaign scheduled from April 26 to 30. A second round is planned for December to reinforce immunity and ensure no child is left behind.
“Mobile vaccination teams, escorted by security agents, will be deployed to hard-to-reach and conflict-prone areas,” she stated. “In addition, we are partnering with traditional and religious leaders to mobilise households and overcome community-level resistance.”
To strengthen public confidence, Rafique said UNICEF would collaborate with local media to dispel rumours and misinformation, while designated vaccination points will be set up in royal palaces across the state to encourage wider participation.
She added that continuous weekly follow-up visits would be conducted in resistant communities, and support would be given to primary health centres to enhance routine immunisation and ensure long-term protection for children.
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“The goal is not just to close the current gap but to fortify the health system against future lapses in coverage,” she said.
In response, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicolas Baamlung, described the figure of 68,000 unvaccinated children as alarming and called it a pressing public health emergency.
He said the ministry, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, had already launched a catch-up drive ahead of the official campaign dates.
“We’re working closely with traditional rulers, LG chairmen, and community leaders to reach underserved populations,” Baamlung noted.
On his part, the Gbong Gwom Jos pledged his full support and said he would summon all district and village heads to mobilise their people.
He assured that traditional rulers would lead by example, including taking part in public vaccination exercises to tackle cultural resistance.
NAN
