Bauchi Targets 2.6M Kids in Massive Polio Vaccination Drive

The Bauchi State Government is targeting roughly 2.6 million children in the ongoing Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) campaign for oral polio vaccine (OPV). The initiative was launched on Thursday at the Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi metropolis, where Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, outlined the rollout plan.

According to Dr Mohammed, 1.7 million doses of OPV have already been distributed to all 20 local government areas for simultaneous implementation. Trained vaccination teams are conducting house‑to‑house outreach to ensure that every eligible child aged 0‑59 months receives the vaccine. In addition, children between one and 59 months will be given a single dose of azithromycin to protect against common life‑threatening infections.

“We are optimistic that this round of the campaign will significantly reduce the number of zero‑dose children in Bauchi State,” Dr Mohammed said.

UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office chief, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, highlighted gaps in previous rounds, noting that more than 2,000 children were missed due to parental refusal. She called for intensified community engagement and awareness activities to address vaccine hesitancy and improve acceptance of immunisation services.

The SIPDs campaign forms part of Nigeria’s broader effort to eradicate polio and strengthen child health outcomes. By integrating OPV delivery with azithromycin distribution, the programme aims to tackle multiple health threats in a single outreach effort. Ongoing monitoring will track coverage rates and identify areas requiring further intervention.