A GPEI delegation visited Nigeria to renew commitments for eradicating type 2 variant poliovirus. Led by Dr. Chris Elias, discussions focused on progress, challenges, and the need for enhanced political leadership and vaccination strategies. Recommendations highlighted the necessity of collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen immunization efforts. Although transmission levels remained static, there are no recent cases in 2025, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts.
A high-level delegation from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) visited Abuja, Nigeria, on February 27-28, 2025. This visit aimed to reinforce commitments made by government officials, traditional leaders, and partners to overcome challenges hindering the eradication of type 2 variant poliovirus in Nigeria. The delegation, led by Dr. Chris Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board (POB), focused on progress review and discussed the issues of insecurity and vaccine misinformation.
Engagements included discussions with Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who reaffirmed the nation’s long-standing commitment to polio eradication. The delegation also met with His Royal Highness Abubakar, Mai Bade, who emphasized continued commitment to both polio eradication and routine immunization initiatives. In addition, they engaged with leadership from health development agencies to assess current polio epidemiology and strategies.
The Expert Review Committee’s recent recommendations spotlighted the urgent need for political leadership and active government engagement to address existing immunity gaps. The committee advocated for improvements in surveillance, vaccination campaign quality, and vaccination logistics, as well as strategies to counter misinformation about vaccines. These enhancements will be crucial for achieving greater coverage and ensuring successful immunization efforts among children.
Despite significant efforts in 2023-2024, transmission levels of the type 2 variant poliovirus remained unchanged. Up until February 15, 2025, there were 94 confirmed polio cases across 15 states in Nigeria during 2024, with no recent cases detected in 2025. The delegation highlighted the importance of multi-level stakeholder commitment in order to halt the spread of the type 2 variant poliovirus within Nigeria and across its borders.
In collaboration with the government, the delegation expressed confidence that progress could be made by enhancing coordination across various health sectors. Nigerian leaders reiterated their dedication to intensifying polio outbreak response efforts and strengthening routine immunization to protect all children from polio.
In summary, the GPEI delegation’s visit to Nigeria highlighted ongoing challenges in eradicating type 2 variant poliovirus while reinforcing commitment at all levels of government. Engaging discussions emphasized the critical need for political leadership, improved vaccination strategies, and enhanced routine immunization systems. Stakeholder collaboration remains essential to overcoming obstacles and securing a comprehensive response against polio in Nigeria.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
