The large-scale exercise was announced during a media briefing in Gusau by Dr. Murtala Salahudeen, Incident Manager of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Zamfara. According to him, the campaign is part of renewed efforts to prevent the spread of the disease and strengthen routine immunization coverage across communities.
Dr. Salahudeen disclosed that 1,997 vaccination teams have been deployed across the state to carry out the exercise, which will involve a house-to-house strategy to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.
“We have strengthened our operational strategies this time around,” he said. “Our teams will conduct house-to-house vaccination, and every child vaccinated will receive an indelible marker pack to ensure proper tracking and avoid missing any child.”
The intensified campaign follows the confirmation of four new poliomyelitis cases in the state. According to the EOC, three cases were recorded in Gummi Local Government Area, while one case was reported in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Health officials noted that although the state recorded 16 cases in 2024, significant progress was achieved in the following year, with no confirmed cases reported in 2025. The emergence of the new cases, however, has prompted authorities to scale up preventive measures and vaccination outreach.
Dr. Salahudeen emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, urging government agencies, development partners, community leaders, and residents to support the campaign to ensure its success.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and work closely with partners to guarantee that every child is reached during this exercise,” he said.
Development partners have also reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative. Speaking at the briefing, Mr. Isa Ibrahim, Social Policy Specialist with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Sokoto Field Office, assured that the organization would continue to support Zamfara State’s efforts to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
He noted that UNICEF remains committed to working with the state government to strengthen child health programs and improve immunization coverage across communities.
The planned campaign is expected to play a crucial role in sustaining progress toward polio eradication while safeguarding children in the state against the debilitating disease.