Gombe Polio Campaign 2026 kicks off with UNICEF support to vaccinate over 900,000 children across the state

The Chief of United Nations Children’s Fund Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, on Monday reaffirmed the commitment of partners and the Gombe State Government to eradicate polio as the state launched its first immunisation campaign for 2026.

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Dr Rafique addressed journalists after an evening review meeting on the ongoing exercise, describing the campaign as “rigorous” and critical to Nigeria’s goal of becoming completely polio-free.

She praised the state government for its dedication and the active involvement of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, and his team.

“The completion rate of settlements is increasing daily,” Dr Rafique said. “We have visited many hard-to-reach areas, and teams are effectively covering the local government areas.

This is a five-day campaign, and we expect even greater progress in the coming days.”

She highlighted the role of traditional leaders and emirs, noting that flag-off ceremonies in their palaces demonstrated strong community ownership.

UNICEF, alongside other partners, supplied over 965,000 doses of polio vaccines, which have been distributed through the state’s primary healthcare system.

The campaign targets approximately 771,000 children, including more than 50,000 who have never received any vaccination.

The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu, emphasised the extensive advocacy undertaken at state, local, and ward levels.

He acknowledged pockets of vaccine resistance, but stressed that community-based teams, comprising locally selected members, were enhancing trust and improving coverage.

“Community leaders, religious figures, and councillors are actively involved in addressing resistance,” Dr Shuaibu said. “We aim to reach over 900,000 children aged 0–59 months and achieve more than 95 per cent coverage by the end of the exercise.”

Both officials noted that field observations, while revealing areas for improvement, were crucial for refining strategies and ensuring quality. Dr Rafique described Gombe’s implementation as exemplary, with vaccinators performing commendably while maintaining high standards.

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The Gombe Polio Campaign 2026 represents a strategic collaboration between government authorities, UNICEF, and local communities, reflecting a resolute effort to safeguard children against preventable diseases.