‘Polio Has No Cure’: Alimosho Steps Up Vaccination Drive for Children 0–5
Kehinde Adeleye
Alimosho Local Government, in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, has intensified its Outbreak Response (OBR) campaign to stop the spread of polio among children aged 0–5, reinforcing ongoing efforts to prevent disabilities linked to the virus.
The renewed push comes as health authorities work to ensure that every eligible child receives the oral polio vaccine, a critical step in halting transmission within Nigeria’s most populous local government area.
Leading the exercise, the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government, Hon. Akinpelu Ibrahim Johnson, said the council remains fully committed to safeguarding the health of young residents by prioritising essential preventive care.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that every resident feels the impact of governance through adequate healthcare and other essential services,” he said. “Polio can render a child disabled for life if they are not vaccinated. Their future is important to us. Fighting polio is a joint effort for all three tiers of government, and that is why I personally led this campaign.”
Johnson reassured parents and caregivers of sustained support for health workers who are moving from house to house to reach children across the community.
“We will keep supporting our health workers in every possible way to ensure the well-being of our people. Polio has no cure, but it can be prevented—and that is exactly what we are doing,” he added.
Health experts continue to warn that polio remains a highly infectious viral disease that attacks the nervous system. The virus, spread primarily through the fecal–oral route, can cause irreversible paralysis in a matter of hours. While many infected individuals show no symptoms, the risk of severe complications underscores the importance of full vaccination.
With the current OBR campaign underway, health authorities are urging parents, guardians, and caregivers to ensure that their children receive the vaccine, which offers lifelong protection.
