The United Nations Child Nation Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about the resurgence of polyomyelitis in the state of Lagos, identifying low immunization coverage, poor sanitation and malnutrition as key factors responsible for its resurgence and other preventable vaccine diseases in the state.
The head of the Unicef Lagos field office, Mrs. Celine Lafoupriere, speaking during the defense walk of the World Immunization Week of 2025 for polyomyelitis organized by the Government of the State of Lagos in collaboration with UNICEF, emphasized the urgency of addressing the gaps in routine immunization and the growing abundance and education about its importance.
The defense walk of the World Immunization Week of 2025 brought together high -level politicians, community leaders, influential, young people's defenders, development partners and hundreds of citizens who marched from the office of the first lady of the state of Lagos in Alausa to the Ministry of Education in Ikeja.
According to Mrs. Lafoutriere, “today, the polyomyelitis vaccine has helped prevent 24 million cases of paralysis. But friends have not yet finished. Here, here in Lagos, we are detecting a resurgence of polyomyelitis. Low immunization coverage, bad sanitation and evil and malnutrition maintain the door open for polio and other diseases of previous vaccination.
“Despite the fact that vaccines are powerful and proven life savers, some parts of the population remain evil, believing in harmful rumors. Despite the growing availability of vaccines, some communities only access them during campaigns.
“UNICEF continues to support the state of Lagos and the Nigerian people to deliver vaccines to the most difficult children to reach vaccination campaigns, support health workers with training and resources, and generate confidence in each community so that no child is left behind.”
The first lady of the state of Lagos, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, declared that immunization is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and urged all Lakes residents to actively participate in the fight against diseases of preventable vaccines.
Dr. Sanwo-olu announced that the state of Lagos would participate in national immunization plus on Saturday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during which all children from 0 to 59 months would receive two drops of vaccine against free polyomyelitis.
According to her, “vaccination teams will be parked in public health facilities and will also move from a house at home, covering schools, religious centers, markets and other public spaces. We ask all parents and guardians who cooperate completely. Their participation is crucial.”
He also warned against the dangers of erroneous information, stating: “Vaccines are safe, effective and save life. We must combat the vaccine vaccine promoting precise information and creating confidence within our communities.”
The wife of the attached governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, encouraged the participants to become immunization ambassadors.
“We know that consciousness is there, but what happens after that? How do we transmit this message to rural areas? It is your responsibility to ensure that each child is vaccinated,” he said.
In addition, the permanent secretary of the Family Health Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, emphasized the importance of the defense walk, describing it as a determined act.
“We are not only walking in solidarity but with a purpose. Each child in zero doses represents not only a gap but a risk for all of us. Lagos binds to the nation to ensure that each eligible child is vaccinated,” he said.
The State Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Chinenye Okafor, warned that Nigeria runs the risk of exporting preventable diseases to other countries if children difficult to achieve still do not vaccinate.
“Nigeria seems to be one of the countries that export various diseases. Vulnerable children must be achieved, and communities must face wrong information,” he said.
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