Abuja, Nigeria 02 February, 2015 - In Kaduna, 43,201 children were vaccinated on highway check points, markets and motor parks during the January 2015 polio supplemental immunization days conducted between 24-27 January across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to avoid importation and exportation of polio viruses in the state. This activity is in line with the state’s resolve to remain polio free and working in tandem with the most recent Polio Expert Review Committee’s (ERC) recommendation.

To prepare the ground for the vaccination of eligible children on the move, the Incident Manger of the State Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC),  Dr. Victor Tita Gugon, stated that “the World Health Organization office in Kaduna State in collaboration with the state recently re-ordered its strategies in the battle against polio to target motor parks, markets and border check points in Kaduna”.

Kaduna is a cosmopolitan state with influx of children traversing the state on daily basis. Mothers with eligible children from the neighboring Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Niger states are at risk of polio importations; neighbouring Kano State had active polio transmission in 2014; while children from other parts of the North – West: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina also  ply the different routes in the State for the conduct  of businesses, social events and other purpose(s). 

Targeting children on transit.

To buttress what informed the partnership, Dr. Audu Idowu, the WHO Kaduna State Coordinator stated that “we realized that, in order to facilitate access to children on transit, who would otherwise be missed, we needed to enter into enduring partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the leaders of various market organizations in prominent local governments.

Transit points immunization was first piloted in motor parks and highways check points in 3 LGAs; Chikun, Kaduna North and South in December 2014 where a total of 4,758 children were vaccinated. Impressed on the output, the state scaled up the activities in January 2015 IPDs to  include  6 LGAs of Chikun, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Zaria and Makarfi .

The process involves halting of all vehicles, sifting those with eligible children, verification of immunization status and vaccination of children with no evidence of finger-marking in the buses and cars.

Outcome.

At the end of the exercise, a total of 43,201 children were vaccinated mainly at Chukun highway check point toll gate, which links between Kaduna state and Niger/FCT, Makarfi toll gate check points linking Kaduna and Kano; Sabon Gari check points a critical border with Katsina/Zamfara; Igabi check point along Jos road that connects Kaduna State with Plateau State; and Kaduna North check points along Birnin Gwari/Airport road which joins Kaduna State with Niger State.

Sustaining Partnership

The Corps Sector Commander of FRSC in Kaduna, Francis Ugoma said “I am very pleased with this collaboration with WHO and state on immunization; this effort will further strengthen our goal of intensifying safety for children”. One of the passengers interviewed held the view that “had the collaboration been done since all these years polio would have been kicked out of the country”.  In the words of the Chairman NURTW Alhaji Mohammed Adamu: "this polio would have been a history if this kind of approach could be done at every entrance to states and pledge the union’s continuous support”.

With this exemplary experience, WHO will continue to strengthen this collaboration to ensure that there is no spread of any lingering poliovirus transmission between states in Nigeria.