In a decisive move to curb the spread of poliovirus, the Lagos State Government has announced the commencement of the second round of its Polio Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign. The intensive vaccination exercise is scheduled to run from Saturday, December 6, to Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Statewide Mobilization to Protect Children
The campaign is a coordinated effort led by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other key development partners. Building on the foundation of the first phase, this round specifically aims to reach vulnerable populations in densely populated and high-risk communities across the state.
Vaccination officers will be deployed to all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos. The campaign targets all children aged 0 to 59 months (under five years), irrespective of their previous immunization history. Each eligible child will receive two drops of the novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), a vaccine endorsed as safe and effective by both NAFDAC and the WHO.
Ensuring No Child is Left Behind
To achieve comprehensive coverage, vaccination teams will adopt a multi-pronged approach. They will conduct house-to-house visits and set up outreach stations at high-traffic public locations. Key points of contact will include:
- Schools and educational institutions
- Major markets and trading posts
- Worship centres and religious gatherings
- Motor parks and transport hubs
- Other community gathering points
This strategy is designed to ensure that every eligible child in Lagos has access to this critical preventive healthcare intervention.
A Call for Collective Action from Health Authorities
Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, the Permanent Secretary of the LSPHCB, has reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health of every child in Lagos. He made a passionate appeal to parents, guardians, community leaders, and all residents to actively support the vaccination teams by presenting their children and wards for immunization.
Dr. Mustafa urged full cooperation with health workers, describing the campaign as a critical public health initiative essential for preventing the transmission of polio and protecting the wider community. The success of the exercise, he noted, hinges on the collective participation and support of all Lagosians.
