Gombe Begins 2026 Polio Vaccination Campaign to Protect Children
Gombe State has officially launched its first polio immunisation campaign for 2026, with strong support from partners like the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The goal is simple but very important:
👉 Protect every child and completely eliminate polio.
Why This Campaign Matters
Polio is a dangerous disease that can cause permanent paralysis, especially in young children.
Although Nigeria has made major progress over the years, health officials say the fight is not over yet.
According to Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief in Bauchi Field Office:
Nigeria must work harder to become completely polio-free
Every state, including Gombe, has a key role to play
What Is Happening in Gombe State?
The vaccination campaign is already ongoing across the state.
Here’s what you should know:
It is a 5-day campaign
Health workers are visiting homes and communities
Special focus is on hard-to-reach areas
Progress is being recorded daily
The state government and health teams are working together to ensure no child is missed.
How Many Children Are Targeted?
This campaign is aiming to reach a large number of children:
Over 700,000 children are expected to be vaccinated
More than 50,000 children have never received any vaccine before (called zero-dose children)
This makes the campaign very important, especially for children who have never been protected.
Support From UNICEF and Partners
The United Nations Children’s Fund and other partners are playing a major role by providing:
Over 965,000 doses of polio vaccines
Logistics and distribution support
Technical guidance for effective implementation
All vaccines have been safely delivered to local government areas through the state’s healthcare system.
Strong Community Involvement
One major reason for the campaign’s progress is community support.
Traditional rulers and emirs are actively involved
Religious leaders are helping to educate people
Local groups and volunteers are supporting awareness
This helps build trust and encourages more families to participate.
Challenges: Vaccine Resistance
Despite progress, there are still some challenges.
Some communities are:
Hesitant
Unwilling to accept vaccines
Health officials are addressing this by:
Educating families
Engaging trusted community leaders
Explaining that vaccines are safe, free, and effective
How the Vaccination Teams Work
Each vaccination team is carefully selected from within the community.
Teams usually have 3 trained members
Members are people the community already knows and trusts
They receive training and daily updates during the campaign
This approach makes the process more effective and accepted.
Target and Expectations
The state is aiming for:
👉 At least 95% vaccination coverage
This level is necessary to:
Stop the spread of polio
Protect all children
Move closer to a polio-free Nigeria
What Parents Should Do
If you are a parent or guardian:
Allow health workers to vaccinate your child
Encourage others to do the same
Ask questions if you are unsure
Remember:
👉 The polio vaccine is safe, free, and protects your child for life
Final Thoughts
This campaign is a major step toward a healthier future for children in Gombe and Nigeria as a whole.
Eradicating polio is possible—but only if every child is reached.
📢 Help Spread Awareness
Share this information with your family, friends, and community.
You could help protect a child and support the mission to make Nigeria completely polio-free.