Borno strives to maintain polio-free status

The Borno government has restated commitment to maintain its polio-free status with launch of the fourth round Outbreak Response (OBR4) polio vaccination campaign in the state.

The exercise is billed to hold from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29 across the 27 local government areas of the state.

This is contained in a statement by Usman Tar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

He said Borno achieved polio-free status on Aug. 25, 2020, however, the state government emphasised the need for continued vigilance as the risk of polio persists globally.

Tar said the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), underscored the importance of these ongoing efforts to prevent the re-emergence of the virus.

“While the certification of Borno as polio-free was a significant milestone, our work is far from over. As long as wild poliovirus exists in other parts of the world, we remain at risk.

“This campaign is essential to protecting our children and ensuring the virus does not return,” he said.

He urged residents of the state to cooperate with vaccination teams, who would be going door-to-door, schools, places of worship, IDP camps, motor parks, and other public areas to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to children under five.

According to him, this proactive initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to strengthen immunisation and sustain its polio-free status.

“Residents are encouraged to ensure their children receive the vaccine during this period as the state continues its efforts to “Build Borno Back and Better”.