Lagos First Lady Tackles Polio Vaccine Myths as 2 Million Nigerian Children Remain Unvaccinated

 

Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, has launched a renewed campaign to debunk persistent myths about polio vaccines in Nigeria. Speaking at a health advocacy forum on Tuesday, she described the misinformation surrounding polio immunization as “a dangerous barrier to progress.”

According to recent health data, over 2 million Nigerian children have yet to receive the life-saving polio vaccine, putting the country at risk of fresh outbreaks. Despite being declared polio-free in 2020, Nigeria has recorded sporadic cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus due to declining vaccination rates.

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Dr. Sanwo-Olu called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community influencers to join the fight against vaccine hesitancy. “We must correct the lies and fears that are keeping our children at risk. No child should suffer from a disease we can prevent,” she said.

Health workers across Lagos are expected to embark on a door-to-door awareness campaign, targeting low-income and high-risk areas. The initiative also includes mobile clinics and partnerships with schools and markets.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that failure to boost immunization coverage could reverse hard-won gains in Africa’s battle against polio. Lagos State, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, is seen as crucial to leading that charge.