Kano Targets Zero-Dose LGAs as April Polio Campaign Kicks Off Statewide

Kano State has officially kick-started the April 2026 Polio Immunization Campaign across all 44 Local Government Areas, with a strong focus on identifying and vaccinating children in zero-dose LGA.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, made this known during a press briefing held at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Kano on Saturday.

He said although the campaign covers the entire state, special attention is being given to LGAs with high numbers of unvaccinated children.

According to him, the intensified effort is aimed at reaching children who have never received a single routine vaccine dose, describing them as the most vulnerable to poliovirus.

Dr. Labaran Yusuf identified LGAs such as Ungogo, Dambatta, Kumbotso, Bunkure and parts of metropolitan Kano as priority areas where zero-dose and under-immunized children remain a concern.

He described the campaign as a critical intervention to close immunization gaps and safeguard the health of children across the state.

He added that although Nigeria has maintained its status as free from wild poliovirus, the presence of circulating variant poliovirus still poses a threat in areas with low immunity.

The Commissioner revealed that Kano recorded a significant decline in cases, from 31 in 2024 to three in 2025, attributing the progress to improved campaign quality and stronger community engagement.

Despite the gains, he warned that the persistence of zero-dose LGAs could reverse the progress if urgent and sustained interventions are not maintained.

The campaign, scheduled from May 2 to May 5, will target children aged 0 to 59 months, with vaccination teams carrying out house-to-house visits, outreach services and mop-up activities in hard-to-reach communities.

Pulse Time Nigeria reports that the renewed focus on zero-dose LGAs signals a decisive step toward achieving a polio-free Kano State.