Nigeria Targets 3M Kids in Door-to-Door Polio Campaign

Three million children in Nigeria's Katsina State will receive life-saving polio vaccines as health workers fan out across cities, villages, and nomadic settlements in a massive door-to-door immunization drive.

The four-day campaign kicks off March 28, 2026, targeting children from newborns to five years old, with special focus on the most vulnerable infants under nine months. Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Agency, announced the initiative at a mobilization meeting with journalists and social media influencers this week.

Trained health workers won't wait for families to come to clinics. Instead, they'll bring vaccines directly to homes, schools, markets, and hard-to-reach communities to ensure no eligible child gets left behind.

The campaign is a partnership between Katsina State Government and UNICEF, part of a broader strategy to boost routine immunization coverage throughout the region. Special teams will focus on border areas, markets, and nomadic settlements where children often miss healthcare services.

Parents and caregivers simply need to open their doors when vaccination teams arrive. The service is completely free, and supervisors at every level will monitor progress to ensure accountability.

The Ripple Effect

This vaccination push is just one piece of a larger healthcare transformation happening across Katsina State. The government has upgraded over 200 healthcare facilities, recruited additional health workers, and installed essential infrastructure including solar power, water supplies, and ambulance services.

These investments aim to deliver 24-hour access to quality healthcare across all 34 local government areas, particularly in rural communities that have historically struggled to access medical services. The improvements mean families can get care when they need it, not just during limited clinic hours.

The campaign also integrates nutrition services, treatment for minor childhood illnesses, and community education on exclusive breastfeeding, proper hygiene, and timely immunization. It's a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple health challenges at once.

Dr. Yahaya emphasized that success requires everyone's participation, calling on media and community influencers to actively support awareness efforts beyond simply reporting the news. He described the campaign as a "collective responsibility" that belongs to the entire community.

With strong government commitment and partner support, officials express confidence that this initiative will significantly reduce risks from polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases while improving overall child health outcomes. Nigeria is proving that reaching every child is possible when healthcare comes to them.