‘Health champions’: Local women lead the fight against polio in Nigeria
Summary
Local women in Nigeria are leading efforts to vaccinate children against polio to prevent the disease from returning. Despite Nigeria being declared free of the wild poliovirus in 2020, cases of a related strain still occur in areas with low vaccination rates.Key Facts
- Eucharia Joseph is one of many women administering polio vaccines in Nigeria.
- In 2020, the World Health Organization declared Nigeria free of the wild poliovirus.
- A related strain called circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) still poses a threat and can spread in under-vaccinated areas.
- As of March this year, Nigeria reported 10 cases of cVDPV, and 98 cases last year.
- Female health workers are crucial in reaching households, especially where cultural or safety concerns limit male workers.
- In places like Borno State, male health workers may face suspicion due to ongoing conflicts.
- Misinformation and mistrust about vaccines persist, making it challenging to gain community acceptance.
- Rumors and conspiracy theories, sometimes spread by armed groups, contribute to resistance against vaccination.
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