The second round of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is set to commence across Ondo State from June 28 to July 1, 2025, with stakeholders urged to ensure massive turnout and participation of eligible children.
Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, made the call in Akure during a meeting of the State Social Mobilisation Committee held to review strategies for a successful implementation of the vaccination campaign.
Dr. Akanbiemu commended stakeholders for their commitment during the first round of the NIPDs, which, according to him, contributed to the impressive 85 percent coverage recorded in the state.
He stressed the need for increased mobilisation to surpass the previous success, noting that the goal is to protect all eligible children from vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups, and caregivers to play active roles in sensitising the public on the importance of immunization.
According to him, “Mothers and caregivers must understand that this campaign is about safeguarding the future of our children and building a healthy society.”
Dr. Akanbiemu expressed appreciation to development partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), for their continued technical and financial support.
He also revealed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the recruitment of more healthcare personnel to enhance service delivery across the state.
Also speaking, State Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Florence Fadiji, presented feedback on the April 2025 round of NIPDs and outlined areas requiring improvement, especially in addressing non-compliance at the grassroots.
Deputy Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. (Mrs.) Bunmi Osewole, called on all participants to take ownership of the campaign in their communities and ensure no eligible child is left unvaccinated.
In his remarks, the representative of WHO, Dr. Adebayo Ibrahim, reiterated the significance of the NIPDs in boosting immunity and sustaining the gains of polio eradication in Nigeria.
While acknowledging that wild polio has been eradicated, he warned that the country is still grappling with a circulating variant of the virus. “Ondo State has done well with no recent case of poliovirus, but now is not the time to relax,” he said.
On behalf of UNICEF, Social and Behavioural Change Consultant, Mrs. Morounke Orhorhomreni, highlighted the critical role of stakeholder engagement in addressing misinformation and promoting vaccine acceptance. She encouraged the use of town announcers, local market leaders, religious figures, and community influencers to reach diverse populations using local languages and culturally accessible formats.
She noted that effective community mobilisation would lead to better awareness, stronger ownership, and improved turnout during the campaign.
The NIPDs aim to reach all eligible children across the state with life-saving vaccines, reinforcing the government’s commitment to public health and the well-being of its youngest citizens.
