By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
The President of Rotary International, Francesco Arezzo, has said immunisation remains critical to the global eradication of polio, stressing the need for sustained high vaccine coverage to eliminate the virus.
Arezzo said Rotary was targeting 90 to 97 per cent immunisation coverage among children, noting that this was essential to eliminate the poliovirus and prevent vaccine-derived cases in Nigeria.
“Our dream, our goal, is zero dose of oral polio vaccine,” he said.
He noted that polio remains endemic in only two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan — while commending Nigeria for its role in making Africa polio-free in 2020.
However, vaccine-derived strains have persisted in recent years.
Arezzo spoke at a press briefing in Abuja on the final leg of his seven-day visit to Nigeria, where he evaluated progress in polio eradication.
He urged government, stakeholders and citizens to see polio eradication as a collective public health responsibility.
“The eradication of polio is possible, though not easy. The response is straightforward. First, we must continue using the new, more stable vaccine, which significantly reduces vaccine-derived cases.
“Second, we must maintain a very high immunisation rate. Vaccine-derived cases occur only where population immunity is low. With high coverage, such cases cannot spread. These are the two key actions required,” he said.
He assured Rotary’s continued support for Nigeria’s efforts, describing polio eradication as a global humanitarian responsibility.
“This is not the problem of Rotary alone; it is the problem of humanity,” he said.
Arezzo praised Nigeria and Africa’s achievement, noting that sustained cooperation made the feat possible.
“The work done in Africa was exceptional, and in 2020, the continent was certified polio-free. That achievement was the result of sustained efforts, including here in Nigeria,” he said.
He explained that the decline in polio cases globally was due largely to the introduction of a more stable vaccine and improved immunisation coverage.
“To eradicate polio, at least 90–97 per cent of children under five must be immunised. This is essential,” he added.
Arezzo also highlighted the sacrifices made in the campaign, revealing that 76 people had died in Nigeria since 2012 during vaccination exercises, while 382 vaccinators were killed in Pakistan.
“These are numbers that are very sad to hear. The best way to honour them is to finish this campaign,” he said.
At Area 2, Garki, Abuja, where he and his spouse, Anna Maria, administered polio drops to children, Arezzo said vaccination remained Rotary’s core focus.
“For us, it is always a great emotion to give the two drops in the mouth of our children, because each child that we vaccinate is one child that will be safe from polio,” he said.
He stressed the importance of community engagement, especially among mothers.
“The main job is to explain, to convince, to say how important it is. And I am convinced they understood how important it is for their children,” he said.
He added that Rotary’s long-term goal was to ensure no child was left unvaccinated.
“We don’t want to leave any child without the two drops. Zero dose is our dream, our goal,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee, Joshua Hassan, expressed concern over two vaccine-derived polio cases in Kebbi State and the deaths of two volunteers due to insecurity.
He described the challenge facing the programme as volunteer fatigue rather than declining commitment.
“We are 99.9 per cent done, and we must finish the job,” he said.
Also speaking, District 9127 Governor, Princess Joy Okoro, said the visit was to assess Nigeria’s utilisation of global grants and reaffirm Rotary’s commitment.
“We are still fighting polio to make sure that the poliovirus is totally eradicated in Nigeria. Advocacy would be strengthened in states with emerging vaccine-derived cases,” she said.
