Lagos First Lady tackles vaccine myths with Polio immunization drive

Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, has vowed to address the spread of Polio vaccine misinformation and ensure comprehensive immunization coverage.

Over two million Nigerian children are still unvaccinated against deadly polio.

Speaking at the official launch of the 2025 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, she emphasised the importance of vaccination in the fight against polio.

Held under the theme “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunization,” this year’s campaign aims to strengthen routine immunization and eradicate polio across Lagos State.

The initiative, a collaboration between Lagos State, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and key development partners, will run from May 3 to May 6, 2025. During this period, all children aged 0 to 59 months will receive two free doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine.

In her address, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of safeguarding children’s health, stating, “There is no greater investment we can make than in the health of our children, who are the future leaders of our state and nation.” She emphasized that the mission is to ensure no child suffers or dies from preventable diseases, particularly polio.

The First Lady further stressed that the campaign would also target children who missed their routine vaccinations in the past, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, which prioritizes health and human development. “Immunization is not a privilege; it is a right that every child must enjoy,” she asserted.

Sanwo-Olu urged residents—parents, caregivers, religious and community leaders, and civil society groups—to actively participate in the campaign. Vaccination teams will be stationed at health facilities and will move door-to-door, covering schools, markets, and public spaces to ensure broad access.

Acknowledging the growing myths and misinformation surrounding vaccines, she emphasized that vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving.

“We must combat vaccine hesitancy by promoting accurate information,” she added, noting that the First Lady’s office, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, would continue to spearhead advocacy and community mobilization efforts.

The Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, revealed that over two million Nigerians remain unvaccinated, and highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by vaccine rumors.

She confirmed that Nigeria has achieved a 99.9% reduction in polio but stressed that the remaining 0.1% still poses a significant threat.

Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Permanent Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), also acknowledged Lagos’s continued burden with “zero dose syndrome,” pledging to find and immunize all children who missed their doses during the campaign.