Gombe Enlists Media, Influencers to Tackle Polio Gaps, Boost HPV Vaccine Uptake

Gombe Enlists Media, Influencers to Tackle Polio Gaps, Boost HPV Vaccine Uptake

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State has mobilised media professionals and social media influencers to strengthen public awareness and improve the uptake of polio and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines as part of a renewed immunisation drive.

Health authorities say the initiative is aimed at closing coverage gaps, combating vaccine hesitancy, and ensuring that more children especially young girls—are protected from preventable diseases.

Speaking during an engagement meeting with media practitioners and digital influencers ahead of the May round of Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days (SNIPDs), the Gombe State Consultant of the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN), Emily Madina, described the collaboration as vital to the success of the campaign.

She noted that the engagement was designed as a demonstration exercise to highlight the importance of vaccination and the need for stronger community participation.

“Today’s engagement is critical because the media has a strong influence in shaping people’s attitudes towards health programmes. We want communities to understand what is happening and where to access vaccines,” she said.

Ms. Madina explained that the campaign focuses primarily on the polio vaccine while also promoting awareness of the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer.

“We are working to ensure that children are protected against polio, while also promoting HPV vaccination to safeguard young girls from cervical cancer, which is becoming increasingly common,” she added.

Due to limited availability of the HPV vaccine, she said priority is being given to younger girls, particularly those around nine years old, to ensure early protection.

She also stressed the need to reach underserved communities with limited access to healthcare, noting that no eligible child should be excluded from the programme.

Also speaking, the monitoring and evaluation officer of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abubakar Muazu Hayaki, said the state is reviewing past immunisation performance to strengthen future interventions.

“We are analysing previous data to determine whether we are making progress or where we need to do more. There are still gaps, especially in polio vaccination coverage and other key health interventions,” he said.

Mr Hayaki revealed that performance trends in some areas have declined, despite expectations of improvement, underscoring the need for renewed strategies, particularly in addressing the low uptake of HPV vaccination and enhancing polio vaccination coverage.

He added that, while the state is set to fully implement the upcoming polio campaign, HPV vaccination remains part of routine immunisation and continues to record low uptake.

“Although HPV vaccination is ongoing as part of routine services, its uptake is still very low. That is why we are engaging the media to help raise awareness and encourage communities to take advantage of the vaccine,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration with media and influencers to improve public understanding and counter misinformation about vaccines.

The immunisation campaign is scheduled to begin on Saturday and last for 14 days, with authorities targeting improved coverage across communities in the state.

The initiative underscores growing partnerships between health stakeholders, the media, and digital influencers in addressing preventable diseases and strengthening primary healthcare delivery in Gombe State.