The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development has urged Muslim and Christian religious leaders in Yobe State to intensify public awareness campaigns on polio vaccination amid reports of circulating variant poliovirus in three local government areas.
The appeal was made during a one-day engagement with religious leaders on polio eradication and routine immunisation held in Damaturu. The meeting focused on strengthening community participation and addressing misinformation about vaccines.
The Emir of Bade, Abubakar Umar Sulaiman, urged traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and Christian clerics to use their influence to encourage parents to immunise their children and cooperate with health workers during vaccination campaigns.
He dismissed claims that vaccines cause infertility, describing such allegations as misinformation capable of undermining public confidence in immunisation programmes. He also stressed that vaccination services provided through supported programmes were free.
The foundation’s National Programme Adviser, Malam Aminu Dan-Mallam, said intensified community sensitisation was necessary to prevent further transmission of the variant poliovirus reported in three local government areas.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Babagana Kundi Machina, represented by Dr Umar Chiroma, called for stronger collaboration between religious institutions and health authorities.
The engagement highlights the role of trusted community leaders in improving vaccine acceptance. Sustained public education and cooperation with vaccination teams will be important in protecting children against polio and other preventable diseases.
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