Polio detection triggers emergency vaccination in Adamawa

…as state intensify surveillance on meningitis

The recent detection of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in Adamawa State has prompted Authorities to intensify immunisation efforts, with plans underway to vaccinate more than one million children under the age of five.

Kaletapwa Farauta, Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, disclosed this during the first quarter meeting of the State Task Force on Primary Health Care held in Yola, where Government officials and health stakeholders reviewed the State’s readiness for upcoming public health interventions.

Farauta said the vaccination drive would be carried out under the Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days (SNIPDs) scheduled to commence on March 28, 2026, stressing that the campaign is crucial in curbing the spread of poliovirus recently detected in Gombi Local Government Area and neighbouring States.

She called on parents, caregivers, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that eligible children are presented for vaccination during the exercise.

Read also: UNICEF warns Africa risks losing polio-free gains without final push

“The success of this campaign depends largely on community participation. We urge all parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination to protect them from preventable diseases”, she said.

The deputy governor also reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services and improving the capacity of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the State.

She commended development partners and health stakeholders for their continued support, noting that collaborative efforts remain critical to addressing emerging health threats and expanding access to essential services.

Beyond polio prevention, Farauta raised concern over a reported case of meningitis in Maiha Local Government Area and urged health authorities to intensify surveillance and response measures to avert a potential outbreak.

She also stated that the State is preparing for an integrated Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign alongside the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs) in selected wards. The malaria prevention exercise is expected to begin in June 2026.

With the rainy season approaching, the deputy governor further emphasised the need for stronger disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of possible flooding on vulnerable communities.

Earlier, Felix Tangwami, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services and Suleiman Saidu Bashir, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the quarterly meeting serves as a platform to review ongoing health programmes, evaluate coverage levels, identify challenges and chart the way forward.

Stakeholders at the meeting also highlighted insecurity as a major challenge affecting the delivery of healthcare services in Lamurde and Hong Local Government Areas.