Immunisation vital to global polio eradication – Rotary president

The President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, said sustained immunisation is crucial to eradicating polio worldwide, urging Nigeria to maintain 90–97 per cent vaccine coverage among children under five to eliminate the virus and prevent vaccine-derived cases. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja at the end of his seven-day visit to Nigeria, Arezzo noted […]

The President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, said sustained immunisation is crucial to eradicating polio worldwide, urging Nigeria to maintain 90–97 per cent vaccine coverage among children under five to eliminate the virus and prevent vaccine-derived cases.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja at the end of his seven-day visit to Nigeria, Arezzo noted that polio remains endemic in only two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He commended Nigeria’s contribution to Africa being declared polio-free in 2020 but warned that vaccine-derived strains persist in areas with low immunisation coverage.

“Eradication of polio is possible, though not easy. First, we must continue using the newer, more stable vaccine, which significantly reduces vaccine-derived cases. Second, we must maintain a very high immunisation rate. With high coverage, such cases cannot spread,” he said.

He described polio eradication as a collective global responsibility, not Rotary’s burden alone.

Arezzo highlighted the human cost of the campaign, revealing that 76 people have been killed in Nigeria since 2012 during vaccination exercises, while 382 vaccinators lost their lives in Pakistan.

“The best way to honour them is to finish the campaign,” he said.

During a visit to Area 2, Garki, Abuja, Arezzo and his wife administered polio drops to children, reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to protecting every child.

Chairman of the Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee, Joshua Hassan, expressed concern over two recent vaccine-derived cases in Kebbi State but maintained that Rotary remains resolute. “We are 99.9 per cent done, and we must finish the job,” he said.

District Governor Princess Joy Okoro added that advocacy would be strengthened in affected states to ensure total eradication.