The Bauchi State Government, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Rotary International have renewed efforts to combat misinformation about polio vaccines, urging parents, caregivers and community leaders to promote immunisation and ensure that every eligible child is protected against the disease.

The organisations during the 2026 World Polio Day celebration, where representatives of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office and Rotary Club of Bauchi Central emphasised and Wife of the Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, emphasised the need for accurate information, community participation and sustained vaccination campaigns to achieve a polio-free world.

Speaking at the event, Dr Patrick Akor, Health Officer at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said misinformation, conflicts, weak health systems, gaps in immunisation coverage and inadequate funding remained major threats to the global polio eradication effort.

Speaking on this year’s theme, “One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good,” Akor said although vaccination had saved millions of lives and brought the world closer to eradicating polio, sustained commitment was necessary to protect the gains.

He explained that polio is a highly infectious viral disease capable of causing permanent paralysis or death, particularly among children under five, but could be prevented through safe and effective vaccination.

Akor called for stronger routine immunisation and vaccination campaigns, particularly in underserved communities and among children who had never received any routine vaccine.

He also urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and other community stakeholders to help counter false information about vaccines and encourage caregivers to present their children for immunisation.

According to him, ending polio requires collective responsibility, with frontline health workers, vaccinators, volunteers and community mobilisers playing crucial roles in reaching children, including those in hard-to-reach areas.

“Let us counter vaccine misinformation and encourage parents to bring their children for vaccination, support health workers and share accurate information about the importance of immunisation,” Akor said.

He added that investments in polio eradication would strengthen healthcare systems, improve disease surveillance and support the delivery of other essential health services.

Also speaking, Comfort Attah, President of Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, District 9127, said misinformation and persistent transmission of the poliovirus in some areas made it necessary for stakeholders to intensify public awareness and vaccination efforts.

Attah said the world had recorded remarkable progress towards eradicating polio, with cases declining by more than 99.9 per cent since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative began.

However, she cautioned that the progress did not mean the fight was over, noting that children remained at risk as long as the virus continued to circulate anywhere.

She called on the Bauchi State Government, parents, caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, health workers and community stakeholders to become active advocates for immunisation.

Attah said public confidence in vaccination could be strengthened by providing accurate information, building trust and addressing concerns that discourage parents from allowing their children to receive polio vaccines.

She further highlighted Rotary International’s contribution through its PolioPlus programme, which supports vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, health workers and efforts to strengthen public health systems.

The Rotary president commended UNICEF Bauchi Field Office for its partnership and continued support for initiatives aimed at protecting children and improving immunisation coverage.

She also acknowledged the contributions of government authorities, development partners, volunteers and traditional and religious institutions to the global polio eradication campaign.

Representing the Bauchi State First Lady, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Hajiya Talatu Garba, called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners and communities to protect children against preventable diseases. She emphasised the importance of parental participation, public awareness and the involvement of traditional and religious leaders in promoting vaccination.

She further urged residents to support immunisation programmes and address misconceptions that could discourage parents from presenting their children for vaccination.