Lagos Health District IV Launches Aggressive Polio Immunisation Drive Across Nine Local Councils

Lagos Health District IV has commenced its robust implementation of the 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days, a critical public health initiative spearheaded in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other key partners.

This large-scale campaign aims to deliver vital polio vaccinations across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) and five Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within Lagos State.

Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary of Health District IV, underscored the paramount importance of the immunisation drive, stating that the aim is to administer two drops of the oral polio vaccine to all children aged 0-5 years.

He emphasised that the proactive measure is essential to prevent any resurgence of the poliovirus and to safeguard Lagos State’s hard-earned polio-free status, achieved nationally in August 2020. Dr. Bowale further stressed the urgency of the campaign in halting the transmission of the circulating variant poliovirus and protecting every child under the age of five from the devastating consequences of polio, including permanent disability and potential fatality.

He detailed the comprehensive strategy for the immunisation period, wherein dedicated healthcare workers from Health District IV will be actively deployed across numerous communities within Lagos Island, Apapa, Mainland, Surulere LGAs, and the LCDAs of Lagos Island East, Apapa Iganmu, Yaba, Itire-Ikate, and Coker-Aguda.

While informing that vaccination points will be strategically located at Worship Centres, Schools, Markets, and other easily accessible public spaces to ensure maximum reach and coverage, the Permanent Secretary appealed to all parents and caregivers to embrace the opportunity to protect their children.

He highlighted that immunisation not only provides crucial protection for the individual child but also significantly strengthens the overall health and immunity of the entire community. The Permanent Secretary commended all healthcare workers for their leadership, coordination, and technical expertise in ensuring a high-quality immunisation campaign, aimed at vaccinating every eligible child.

While reiterating the critical importance of achieving full coverage, Dr. Bowale provided assurances that the vaccines being administered are safe, free, and highly effective in preventing the debilitating disease.