By Hassan Hussain
The Rotary Club has called for sustained immunisation and stronger community engagement to protect Nigeria’s gains against polio, warning that refusal by some parents to vaccinate their children could undermine global efforts to eradicate the disease.
The District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotarian Sikiru Adetono Owonikoko, made the call during a walk rally in Abuja to commemorate this year’s World Polio Day.
Rotarian Owonikoko stressed that although Nigeria had interrupted local transmission of wild poliovirus, the country must sustain routine immunisation and public awareness to prevent a resurgence of the disease.
He noted that the continued transmission of wild poliovirus in Afghanistan and Pakistan underscored the need for global solidarity, adequate funding and uninterrupted access to vaccines until polio is completely eradicated.
The District Governor commended the contributions of Rotary International’s partners, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Also speaking, the District Polio Chair of Rotary District 9127, Rotarian Mariam Ahmed Abdullahi, called for stronger measures to address persistent resistance to vaccination, including consideration of appropriate legislation to ensure that every eligible child receives the life-saving vaccine.
Rotarian Abdullahi said Rotary was intensifying awareness campaigns and community engagement, particularly in hard-to-reach settlements, to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of immunisation.
She observed that acceptance of vaccination had improved in many communities but warned that continued vigilance was necessary, as an unimmunised child could contribute to the spread of the virus.
The Rotary District Polio Chair urged Nigerians to support immunisation campaigns and ensure that no eligible child is left unprotected, emphasising that sustained vaccination coverage remains critical to preventing the re-emergence of polio.
World Polio Day recognises the contributions of scientists, health workers, volunteers and organisations working towards the global eradication of the disease.
The theme for this year’s World Polio Day is: “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good.”
