The Kano State Government says it is targeting 3,024,026 children under the age of five for the November 2026 polio immunisation campaign across 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The campaign, scheduled to hold from November 7 to 10, 2026, is aimed at strengthening immunisation coverage and preventing the spread of poliovirus following reports of a fresh outbreak in Kumbotso Local Government Area.
As part of preparations, the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), organised a one-day media conference to mobilise journalists, social media influencers and U-Reporters for effective public awareness and community engagement.
The conference, themed “Media Dialogue with Journalists, Social Media Influencers and U-Reporters for November 2026 Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days (SNIPDs),” focused on strengthening media participation and promoting public acceptance of the vaccination exercise.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Public Enlightenment Unit of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Rabiu Ibrahim, said the state had recorded significant improvements in polio immunisation coverage compared with previous years.
He disclosed that more than three million doses of oral polio vaccine had been made available to ensure the successful implementation of the exercise.
According to him, trained vaccination teams would conduct house-to-house visits across the 30 LGAs to administer two drops of the oral polio vaccine to every eligible child under five.
Dr. Ibrahim added that temporary vaccination centres would also be established at ward heads’ residences to improve access and ensure wider coverage.
He explained that immunisation teams would equally visit schools in collaboration with school authorities to identify and vaccinate eligible children who might have missed previous vaccination exercises.
The health official urged journalists, social media influencers and U-Reporters to intensify public enlightenment efforts by disseminating accurate information about the campaign and encouraging parents and caregivers to present their children for vaccination.
He also stressed the importance of involving religious leaders in the exercise, noting that their influence would help address misconceptions, build public confidence and encourage greater community participation.
Dr. Ibrahim maintained that effective collaboration among healthcare workers, media practitioners, religious institutions and community stakeholders was critical to achieving the campaign’s objectives.
The November 2026 Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days will take place from November 7 to 10 across the designated 30 Local Government Areas of Kano State.
The Board expressed optimism that the combined efforts of government agencies, development partners, the media and community leaders would significantly improve vaccination coverage and contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to completely eradicate poliovirus.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
