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Vaccine-derived polio in Nigeria: Can a new task force eradicate the threat?
This decision was among several resolutions made during the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Photo Credit: Kashim Shettima via Twitter
In response to the recent emergence of the Vaccine Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) within certain states in Nigeria, the government has proactively established an intervention committee aimed at addressing this pressing health crisis. This decision was among several resolutions made during the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The creation of the “Committee on Eradication of Vaccine Derived Poliovirus” was confirmed in an official statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President. The committee will be chaired by Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe State and will include governors from five other North-western states where the new strain has been detected. The NEC meeting was notably attended by Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who underscored the urgency of addressing this health issue.
Although Nigeria was declared free from wild poliovirus in 2020, it now faces the challenge of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), with 1,028 cases reported in 2021 and 170 cases in 2022. So far, 51 cases have been recorded in 2023, predominantly in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. In response, the government has intensified its routine immunisation efforts by deploying both the fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) and the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). Focused on 13 high-risk and conflict-affected states, immunisation campaigns have commenced in nine states.
Moving forward, the NEC has resolved to ensure that this newly established committee reports to it on a monthly basis. Membership will comprise key government officials, including the Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, alongside representatives from the NEC Secretariat, UNICEF, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
In his address, Vice President Shettima emphasised the necessity of enhancing the health sector as a cornerstone of national development. He articulated that the future prosperity of Nigeria is intrinsically linked to the health and well-being of its children. Furthermore, he acknowledged the critical role that philanthropic partners, such as Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote, play in advancing health and economic initiatives within the country.
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with Bill Gates and impactful stakeholders, is taking significant steps to address the resurgence of vaccine-derived polio, underscoring a strong commitment to public health and collaborative efforts towards achieving economic stability and health security in the nation.
