Kano council launches emergency polio vaccination after child tests positive

Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State has begun an emergency vaccination exercise after poliovirus was detected in a child in Challawa Ward, Channels Television reported. Vice Chairman Sulaiman Dauda Basarake said the council would work with health officials to vaccinate all eligible children. He said council leaders would participate in the exercise and consider requests made by stakeholders at a meeting on the outbreak.

Lawan Ahmad Getso, head of the council’s Primary Healthcare Department, said the case had raised concern about possible transmission to other children and communities. LGA Facilitator Naziru Sani added that people carrying the virus might show no symptoms, making broad vaccination important. World Health Organisation cluster consultant Dr Mukhtar Ali said the affected child had received routine vaccinations, including polio vaccines, more than once.

He nevertheless stressed the need to vaccinate all eligible children to interrupt transmission. Officials urged traditional, religious and community leaders to mobilise residents and asked parents to accept vaccination for their children. Basarake said a school in Na’ibawa Ward had previously been closed after its head allegedly resisted pupil vaccination.

He also warned vaccination workers not to falsify records or waste vaccines.