Rotary International, in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe State chapter, has mobilised communities across the 11 local government areas of the state to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated against polio.

The campaign to commemorate World Polio Day 2025 was launched in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where parents were urged to bring their children to health facilities and designated vaccination centres for immunisation.

At the Kwadon Primary Health Centre, the Routine Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Zilfa Peter Guduba, commended the high level of community cooperation.

“Parents are cooperating. We have seen a noticeable improvement in turnout, thanks to awareness drives in mosques, churches, and the media,” she said.

In Deba, the Immunisation Officer for Yamaltu-Deba Local Government, Ibrahim Aliyu, said the team is targeting about 120,000 children within the 10-day exercise.

“So far, we have covered more than 80% of our target. We have 114 vaccination centres across the council, and our officers are also moving house to house to ensure no child is left out,” he explained.

He expressed appreciation to the state government, development partners, and Rotary for their continued support and commitment to the campaign.

According to him, the collaboration underscores Gombe’s determination to eradicate polio and protect its youngest citizens.

“With community leaders, health workers, ALGON, Rotary, and volunteers all on board, the state is poised to make World Polio Day 2025 a resounding success,” he said.

Immunisation Recorder at the Gombe State Ministry of Health, Adamu Usman, also described the turnout as impressive, noting that at least 400 children are being vaccinated daily at each centre.