Specialists accede to Nigeria’s progress, spotlight areas of focus for sustaining polio-free standing

The thirty ninth Professional Overview Committee (ERC) for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization has expressed optimism that the Nigerian programme is on the right track to cease the transmission of the circulating Variant Polio Virus (cVPV2) with ‘spectacular progress’ recorded.

The ERC meets periodically to judge progress towards the attainment of a polio-free Nigeria. The monitoring physique comprising international and native specialists on polio eradication guides the federal government and companions on how they’ll interrupt the residual threat of all types of poliovirus and enhance routine immunization within the nation.

On the finish of the 2-day  assembly (07-08 February, 2022) , the ERC counseled Nigeria. “Everybody has demonstrated dedication and management in direction of high quality protection. For the previous 5-weeks, we’ve got not recorded any cVPV2. If we proceed this trajectory then the tip of cVDPV2 is in sight,” says Prof. Akin Osibogun, the Chairman of ERC’.

Recall that Nigeria was declared wild poliovirus free in 2020. Nevertheless, the circulating Variant Polio Virus2 (cVPV2) pressure transmission continues. In 2022 alone, Nigeria reported 168 case.

To additional strengthen the combat towards cVPV2, the Coordinator for Polio Eradication Programme from the  WHO Regional Workplace for Africa, Dr Jamal Ahmed, says that work remains to be minimize out for the nation within the northwest zone which has persistently introduced with breakthrough transmission of cVPV2 instances regardless of a number of rounds of novel Oral Polio Vaccines sort 2 (nOPV2) 

The Specialists additional appreciated the sturdy progress within the nation and emphasised that there’s a consensus amongst each the native and worldwide companions that Nigeria can interrupt the transmission of cVPV2 by December 2023.

Dr Jamal confused that Nigeria is implementing a  strong plan until the month of august and by the second half of the 12 months there needs to be minimal instances recorded.  

“The ERC agrees that the work is minimize out for us in Zamfara and Sokoto States to cease the transmission of the virus. Because of the contextual challenges and epidemiology of the area, it is going to require deliberate effort from the federal government in any respect ranges and companions to attain the specified outcome,” he says.  

Dr Jamal buttressed that the International Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) can also be dedicated to supporting Nigeria to achieve cVPV2-free standing and hold the nation wild polio-free. 

He famous that although Nigeria is free from the wild poliovirus, it shouldn’t relaxation on its oars in its immunization actions to stop the importation of the wild polio viruses and circulating Variant Polio Virus sort 1 (cVPV1) as a result of the world is a worldwide village. 

In the meantime, the federal government of Nigeria and its companions have continued to enhance the standard of immunization actions within the nation by implementing Supplementary Immunization (SIAs) campaigns in lots of states. 

The SIAs are focused to handle the residual threat of all types of poliovirus and enhance routine immunization within the nation. 

In one of many latest immunization campaigns in Edo State,  Mrs Blessing Ozowa, whose two youngsters benefited from the SIA marketing campaign applied in January, says the marketing campaign makes it simpler for moms to current their youngsters for immunization. 

The door-to-door implementation has eased the stress on dad and mom. No mum or dad has an excuse for his or her youngsters not receiving the vaccines as a result of they get to spiritual centres, markets faculties and houses. The vaccinators additionally carry different vaccines aside from the polio vaccines in the course of the marketing campaign,  Mrs Ozowa famous

Pleasure Urieto, one other mom in Idunwele group Esan central Native Authorities Space (LGA), Edo State, says three of her youngsters benefitted from the SIA marketing campaign applied in December 2022 and  January 2023. 

“I like the best way well being care staff transfer from home to deal with to beg us to deliver out our kids for vaccination towards polio. I can’t bear in mind the final time I heard somebody in my group was affected by polio. 

Immunization is nice as a result of it is going to shield our kids from being paralysed. I at all times mobilize different dad and mom to permit their youngsters to obtain the vaccine as a result of it’s for the nice of the kids and our group,” she says 

Technical contact:

Dr Boateng Kofi; E mail: boatengko [at] who.int