Musa adjusted his cap and stepped onto the dusty path leading into the Tsamiya babba community in Kano state Nigeria. He knew the day would be long, but his mission was clear; no child should go unvaccinated. As a health worker in the Polio Targeted Local Response (TLR) campaign, he understood all too well the devastating impact of this preventable disease. The stakes were high, and every knock on a door was a chance to change a child’s future.
As of February 15, 2025, Nigeria had recorded 94 confirmed cases of polio, all caused by circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2), across 15 states. The outbreaks remain concentrated in northern Nigeria, where insecurity and low vaccination coverage continue to fuel transmission. In response, WHO, alongside SCIDaR and other partners, launched a four-day Targeted Local Response (TLR) campaign from February 19 to 26, 2025, across seven high-risk states: Borno, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. The campaign specifically targeted local government areas with active cVPV2 cases and surrounding communities where immunization coverage remains low, aiming to close immunity gaps and halt the virus’s spread.
For many families, the sight of health workers carrying coolers of polio vaccines was met with relief. But in other homes, hesitation lingered. Some parents, misled by misinformation, refused the vaccine outright. That’s where the Noncompliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) stepped in—an alliance of health workers, community leaders, religious leaders, and vaccinators working together to bridge the gap between doubt and trust. Through patient conversations and trust-building, they dismantled myths and replaced fear with confidence. In fact, 69% of previously hesitant families eventually agreed to vaccinate their children.
By the end of just four days, the campaign had successfully vaccinated more than 3.6 million children; a major milestone in closing immunity gaps. SCIDaR supported by deploying over 100 supervisors across the seven states to ensure high-quality vaccination efforts. In Kano State, SCIDaR also contributed 55% of the state’s “pluses” (candies and incentives); small but powerful tools to encourage vaccine acceptance.
Despite these successes, Polio remains stubborn in areas with persistent transmission, making them a key battleground in the fight against the virus. Despite efforts, 31% of identified vaccine-hesitant families still refuse vaccination, reminding us that the fight is far from over. But with every new child vaccinated, Nigeria moves one step closer to its goal of a polio-free future.
