Polio — once one of the world’s most dreaded diseases — is back in the spotlight in Lagos as health authorities launch an ambitious, city-wide vaccination drive to protect children from the crippling virus. The campaign, aimed at eradicating the last traces of poliovirus from Nigeria’s most populous city, underscores Lagos’ continued commitment to global health security and child welfare.
This renewed effort not only targets full immunization coverage but also reinforces community trust in vaccines and healthcare systems. Here’s an in-depth look at what the initiative entails, why it’s critical, and how it could safeguard the health of millions of Lagos children.
Understanding the Threat: Why Polio Still Matters
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a viral infection that primarily affects young children, attacking the nervous system and, in severe cases, leading to irreversible paralysis. While Nigeria was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, isolated detections of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) in parts of the country have reignited concern.
Unlike the wild poliovirus, which has been eradicated in Nigeria, vaccine-derived strains can emerge when immunization rates drop. This makes periodic vaccination campaigns essential, especially in high-density regions like Lagos where mobility, poor sanitation, and uneven vaccine coverage can facilitate transmission.
Health officials emphasize that the return of any form of poliovirus poses a serious threat, particularly in communities where children have not received their full doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The Lagos vaccination campaign is therefore a critical preventive step to maintain the country’s polio-free status and protect its next generation.
Details of the Lagos Polio Vaccination Campaign
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF, officially launched the Major Polio Vaccination Drive for Children in November 2025.
Key Highlights of the Campaign:
- Target Group: Children under five years of age across all local government areas (LGAs).
- Duration: The campaign will run for five days, with potential extensions based on community response.
- Vaccine Type: The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) will be administered free of charge to all eligible children.
- Implementation Teams: Thousands of trained vaccinators will visit households, schools, religious centers, and marketplaces.
- Partnerships: The drive involves collaboration with international partners like WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Monitoring: Data collection teams will track coverage rates and ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, the campaign represents a coordinated push to close immunity gaps and sustain the state’s polio-free status. He emphasized that the campaign is not a reaction to a new outbreak, but rather a proactive measure to prevent one.
Why Lagos Is Taking Polio Eradication Seriously
Lagos, with an estimated population of over 20 million, serves as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and a gateway for international travel. Its dense population, migration patterns, and sanitation challenges make it particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Health experts note that even a single case of polio can trigger an outbreak in communities with low vaccine coverage. For this reason, Lagos has consistently maintained routine immunization programs and periodic supplementary campaigns to keep population immunity high.
The state’s proactive measures are also aligned with Nigeria’s National Polio Eradication Emergency Plan, which mandates surveillance, vaccination, and community engagement to ensure that the country remains free from both wild and vaccine-derived polioviruses.
The Role of Parents and Guardians in the Vaccination Drive
One of the key success factors of any vaccination campaign is community participation. Lagos authorities have called on parents and guardians to bring their children to vaccination points or allow health workers to administer the vaccine at home.
Officials are emphasizing that the oral polio vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Parents are encouraged not to refuse vaccination out of fear or misinformation. The campaign also provides an opportunity for children to receive other routine immunizations they may have missed.
To reach every child, health teams are using:
- Door-to-door visits
- Mobile vaccination centers
- Immunization booths at schools, churches, and mosques
- Health camps in rural and riverine areas
Religious and community leaders have also been enlisted to encourage participation and dispel myths about the polio vaccine.
Combating Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation
Despite remarkable progress in public health education, vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge in parts of Nigeria. Misinformation, cultural beliefs, and fear of side effects can prevent families from allowing their children to be vaccinated.
To counter this, Lagos health authorities are implementing a robust public awareness campaign using local media, radio, television, and social media platforms. Community health educators are also visiting neighborhoods to speak directly with families and answer questions.
Key messages being shared include:
- Polio vaccination is completely safe and does not cause infertility or illness.
- The vaccine has been approved by WHO and used globally for decades.
- Every child needs multiple doses to build full immunity.
- Vaccination is free of charge — no payment or registration is required.
By strengthening communication and trust, the Lagos government hopes to achieve near-universal coverage during the campaign.
The Science Behind the Polio Vaccine
The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) contains weakened strains of the poliovirus that stimulate the immune system without causing disease. It helps the body produce antibodies, making it ready to fight off any future infection.
There are two main types of polio vaccines:
- Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV): Administered by drops into the mouth. Easy to use in mass campaigns and provides community protection by stopping person-to-person transmission.
- Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): Given as an injection. It is used in routine immunization schedules to ensure full protection against all types of polioviruses.
Lagos’ campaign focuses on OPV due to its effectiveness in quickly boosting immunity levels among children and reducing the risk of transmission.
Success Stories and Progress in Nigeria’s Polio Fight
Nigeria’s journey to becoming polio-free was a global health milestone. Decades of effort by government bodies, global organizations, and local communities led to this success.
Key achievements include:
- The last case of wild poliovirus in Nigeria was reported in 2016.
- In August 2020, WHO officially certified the African Region polio-free, with Nigeria being the last African country to achieve this milestone.
- Nigeria continues to maintain robust surveillance systems to detect any potential reemergence.
However, sporadic detections of vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) remind public health officials that vigilance is still required. The current Lagos campaign is a continuation of this vigilance.
Community Engagement: The Heart of the Campaign
Community participation has been the backbone of polio eradication efforts in Nigeria. From local health workers to traditional rulers, every stakeholder plays a crucial role.
In Lagos, community engagement strategies include:
- Town hall meetings with parents and caregivers.
- Partnerships with schools and religious leaders to promote awareness.
- Involvement of traditional birth attendants and market associations to reach mothers in informal communities.
- Distribution of flyers and posters in local languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
These efforts are designed to ensure no child is missed, regardless of socioeconomic or geographical barriers.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability
The Lagos State Government has established a comprehensive monitoring framework to ensure transparency and effectiveness throughout the vaccination campaign.
Monitoring efforts include:
- Real-time data collection using digital tools and geo-mapping.
- Supervisory visits by local and international health experts.
- Independent evaluation teams to verify coverage rates.
- Feedback mechanisms for residents to report missed households or challenges.
By adopting data-driven methods, Lagos aims to achieve over 95% vaccination coverage, which is the threshold required to prevent polio transmission.
The Economic and Social Impact of Polio Eradication
Polio eradication isn’t just a health victory — it’s also an economic and social investment. Preventing paralysis in children saves families from the lifelong financial burden of medical care and rehabilitation.
According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the global effort to eliminate polio has saved more than US$ 27 billion since 1988 in healthcare costs and productivity losses.
In Lagos, where childhood health directly impacts future workforce productivity, maintaining polio-free status contributes to sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially those linked to health, education, and poverty reduction.
Addressing Other Child Health Challenges
While the focus is currently on polio, Lagos’ vaccination campaign also shines a light on other child health issues, including:
- Measles and yellow fever outbreaks
- Malnutrition and poor sanitation
- Lack of access to routine immunization services
The campaign provides an opportunity for integrated healthcare delivery, allowing children to receive multiple vaccines and nutritional supplements during a single visit.
This holistic approach helps strengthen the overall health system and reinforces the importance of preventive healthcare.
The Role of International Partners
Global collaboration remains a cornerstone of the fight against polio. Organizations like WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continue to support Nigeria with technical assistance, funding, and logistics.
These partners are also helping train vaccinators, provide cold-chain equipment for vaccine storage, and strengthen disease surveillance networks across Lagos and beyond.
According to WHO officials, Nigeria’s success in maintaining a polio-free status will significantly contribute to the global goal of eradicating polio everywhere by 2030.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the ambitious goals, several challenges could affect the success of the campaign:
- Urban congestion and the difficulty of accessing informal settlements.
- Vaccine misinformation spread via social media.
- Competing health priorities, such as malaria and malnutrition.
- Logistical issues in reaching riverine and hard-to-reach areas.
However, the Lagos health authorities remain confident that with community support and consistent monitoring, these obstacles can be overcome.
Voices from the Community
Health campaigns are often best reflected in the words of those they serve.
A mother from Agege shared her gratitude:
“The vaccinators came to my house early in the morning. I didn’t have to go to the clinic, and my three children got their polio drops. I’m happy the government is taking this seriously.”
A local community leader in Ikorodu also noted:
“We are working hand in hand with health officials to make sure every child is covered. Polio is something we must never allow back.”
These testimonials highlight the spirit of cooperation that defines Lagos’ public health efforts.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining a Polio-Free Future
As Lagos concludes this major vaccination drive, the focus will shift toward maintaining the momentum. Routine immunization, environmental surveillance, and health education will continue to play vital roles.
Experts suggest that future campaigns may integrate digital immunization tracking systems and mobile health apps to improve data accuracy and ensure long-term sustainability.
The goal is not just to eliminate polio temporarily but to build a resilient health system that can respond effectively to any future outbreaks — of polio or other infectious diseases.
Conclusion
The Lagos Major Polio Vaccination Drive for Children is more than a public health exercise — it is a testament to the power of proactive governance, community cooperation, and global solidarity.
By ensuring every child receives life-saving vaccines, Lagos is not only protecting its citizens but also contributing to the global mission of eradicating polio once and for all.
The campaign sends a clear message: a polio-free Lagos is a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous Lagos — and every drop of vaccine brings that vision closer to reality.
