Photo: 6 month old baby receives her first vaccination at IDP camp after outbreak of 2 wild polio cases in Borno

Six months old Ajeda is pictured receiving her first dose of polio vaccination at a camp for internally displaced persons in Borno state yesterday, August 15, following reports that two children have been paralyzed by the disease in the state.



This is coming after more than two years without wild polivirus in Nigeria. The government is collaborating with WHO and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to respond urgently and prevent more children from being paralyzed. These steps include conducting large-scale immunization campaigns and strengthening surveillance systems that help catch the virus early. 


UNICEF and partners started an emergency polio immunisation campaign in the conflict affected area yesterday. Ajeda's mother, Fatari brought him for the polio drops when volunteer community mobilisers in the camp told her about the campaign

"I delivered her when our community was occupied by Boko Haram. We did not receive immunisation. No vaccinators ever came to us," said Fatari.

 Photo credit: UNICEF