Amid growing concern over the return of polio in Lagos, UNICEF and the Lagos State Government have intensified advocacy for routine immunisation, pointing to poor sanitation, malnutrition, and low vaccine uptake as primary causes behind the resurgence.

The alarm was sounded during the 2025 World Immunisation Week, marked by a high-profile Advocacy Walk for Polio. The walk, which drew participation from state officials, healthcare leaders, youth advocates, and residents, started from the Office of the First Lady in Alausa and concluded at the State Ministry of Health in Ikeja. It aimed to raise awareness and drive political and community action toward eradicating polio and improving vaccination coverage.

Two Million Nigerian Children Still Unimmunised

Addressing participants, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, Head of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, revealed that about two million children across Nigeria have yet to receive any vaccinations.

“While we’ve made great progress, a resurgence of polio in Lagos proves there’s still work to be done,” she said. “Routine immunisation is essential to closing this gap.”

Lafoucriere emphasized that vaccines have prevented over 150 million deaths globally since 1974, averaging six lives saved every minute. Thanks to the oral polio vaccine, 24 million cases of paralysis have been avoided. However, she warned that these gains could be reversed if routine immunisation isn't prioritised.

Routine Over Campaigns: A Sustainable Approach

She cautioned against over-reliance on periodic campaigns, noting that some communities only access vaccines during such drives.

“This approach is not sustainable,” she said. “Routine immunisation should be part of every child’s life from birth.”

She also addressed growing vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation, calling for greater public education and trust-building between health authorities and communities.

Lagos to Offer Free Polio Vaccines in May

Supporting the initiative, First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, announced the state’s participation in the upcoming National Immunisation Plus Days, scheduled for May 3–6, 2025. During this period, oral polio vaccines will be administered free of charge to all children under five.

“This year’s theme, ‘Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation,’ challenges us to ensure no child suffers from a disease we can easily prevent,” she said.

She urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams that will operate both at health facilities and within local communities.

Also lending her voice, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, wife of the Deputy Governor, stressed the collective responsibility of ensuring that no child is left behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Health Experts Warn of Global Implications

Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Permanent Secretary of the Family Health Board, described the walk as a call to action, not just symbolism.

“Each child who misses vaccination represents a risk to the wider public,” he stated.

Dr. Chinenye Okafor, WHO’s Lagos Coordinator, echoed this concern, warning that Nigeria could become a source of preventable disease outbreaks if children in underserved areas remain unvaccinated.

Dr. Segun Emiju, State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), called for long-term investment in health systems to strengthen vaccine delivery and accessibility.

Call for Inclusive Collaboration

Mr. Bolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, stressed the need for partnerships across all sectors to achieve universal vaccination.

“The fight against polio and other diseases is not one we can win alone. Every stakeholder must play a role,” he said.

As stakeholders recommit to eliminating polio and improving vaccine coverage, the message remains clear: no child should suffer or die from a disease that vaccines can prevent.