The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, is set to commence a statewide Polio Outbreak Response Campaign following the detection of an orphan circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 in Makoko, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.
The campaign is being organised in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other development partners.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the outbreak response will begin on Saturday, November 8, 2025, as part of national and state efforts to interrupt virus transmission and protect every child from the risk of paralysis.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, explained that routine environmental surveillance had earlier detected the orphan cVPV2 strain — an indication of possible ongoing transmission — from samples collected in the densely populated riverine community of Makoko.
He said the discovery highlighted the urgency of implementing a rapid and comprehensive response to strengthen population immunity and curb the spread of the virus.
“And in a swift move to safeguard the lives of children, the Lagos State Government will conduct two intensive rounds of house-to-house vaccination campaigns across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state,” Mustafa said.
Each child will receive two drops of the novel Oral Polio Vaccine, which is safe, effective, and approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the World Health Organisation.”
“The detection of this virus is a reminder that polio remains a threat until it is completely eradicated. We therefore urge all parents, caregivers, and community leaders to open their doors to health workers and cooperate fully with the vaccination teams,” he added.
The PUNCH reported in late October that Nigeria recorded a 44 per cent drop in circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 cases in 2025.
This was revealed in epidemiological data presented by the National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Polio Eradication, led by Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, at the 153rd NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Data obtained by The PUNCH showed that confirmed cases fell from 109 in 2024 to 61 in 2025, even as the Council warned of new outbreaks in parts of the North-West.
