The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving 100% polio immunization coverage as development partners conclude the final phase of the polio immunization exercise in Nigeria.
Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRPHDA), announced this commitment during a one-day sensitization workshop for stakeholders in Calabar, ahead of the National Immunization Plus Days Round 2 set to begin on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Dr. Otu stressed the importance of eliminating poliomyelitis and other preventable diseases from the State, urging stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns to ensure full coverage across the 18 Local government areas in the upcoming immunization exercise.
"As dedicated advocates for Cross River State, you all recognize that this will be the last polio vaccination exercise funded by development partners. We must seize this opportunity to ensure that every eligible child receives immunization," she stated.
"The goal of this campaign is to make Cross River State completely polio-free, capitalizing on this final window of opportunity," she added.
The DG expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their support during the first round and also used the occasion to announced the reactivation of the Non-compliance Resolution Committee.
In her remarks. the Permanent Secretary of CRPHDA, Barr. Lucky Enakare, commended stakeholders for their efforts and encouraged them to enhance awareness campaigns.
She urged mothers and caregivers to ensure their children receive vaccinations, regardless of previous immunization history.
A Technical Officer from the National Primary Health Development Agency, Mr. John Odey, assured the State of their support for the exercise, noting, "Cross River performed poorly in the first round of this exercise and was ranked 37th in the country. It’s essential that we roll up our sleeves and strive for 100% coverage for the sake of our children."
One of the development partners, Dr. Doris Nria, State Facilitator for UNICEF, Social Behaviour Change, called on mothers and caregivers to mobilize and ensure that children are vaccinated against polio during this final campaign.
In her opening remarks, State Social Mobilization Officer, Mrs. Nsa Ekpenyong highlighted that, in addition to NIPDS 2, the campaign will also include the first round of the Optimized Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week(OMNCHW 1), scheduled from Tuesday, July 8, to Sunday, July 13, 2025, for children from 0 to 59 months, as well as the Integrated Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination for adolescent girls aged 9.
She emphasized that during the polio campaign, healthcare providers will administer two drops of oral vaccine to children under 5 years at temporary and fixed posts, as well as through door-to-door outreach to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
