The ongoing Immunisation Plus Days campaign in Gombe state, Tuesday gathered momentum with UNICEF and state health officials expressing optimism that the exercise will record wider coverage and bring the state closer to a polio-free status.
Speaking with journalists shortly after an evening review meeting in Gombe, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described the 2026 campaign as critical to Nigeria’s final push to eradicate polio.
She said Gombe state had shown strong commitment to the campaign, noting that the state government and its health team were working intensively to ensure that no eligible child was left behind.
She added that the five-day exercise began with flag-off activities at both the state and local government levels, followed by outreach to communities considered hard-to-reach and underserved.
“This campaign is very important because Nigeria must completely get rid of polio. Gombe is doing its best and trying very hard to reach that status,” she said.
Dr. Rafique commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the state health leadership for what she described as unwavering commitment, adding that the daily review meetings were helping partners to track progress and quickly address challenges.