Polio is a disease that many people may rarely think about today, but the risk has not disappeared. The virus can cause permanent paralysis, particularly in children, making vaccination essential even in places where significant progress has been made against the disease.
Observed every October 24, World Polio Day highlights the global effort to eradicate polio and reminds families, health workers and governments that protecting children requires sustained action.
Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects children under five, although people of any age who are not adequately vaccinated can become infected. In some cases, the virus attacks the nervous system and causes irreversible paralysis. Severe cases can also affect the muscles needed for breathing.
There is no cure for polio, but vaccination can prevent it.
Why polio vaccination remains important in Nigeria
Nigeria was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020, an important milestone in the country’s public-health efforts. However, this does not mean that all forms of poliovirus have disappeared from the country.
The World Health Organization reported in September 2026 that circulating variant poliovirus remains a public-health threat, particularly in communities where children have missed vaccination. The agency also highlighted the need to strengthen disease surveillance so suspected cases can be detected and investigated quickly.
This distinction matters because progress against one form of the virus does not remove the need to protect children against others. Maintaining high vaccination coverage helps reduce the risk of transmission and outbreaks.
How parents and caregivers can help
Parents and caregivers can help protect children by ensuring they receive their recommended polio vaccine doses through routine immunisation and any official vaccination campaigns.
If you are unsure whether your child has received all the recommended doses, check the child’s immunisation card or speak with a healthcare worker at a nearby primary healthcare centre.
Communities also have a role to play. Caregivers should seek immediate medical attention if a child develops sudden weakness or paralysis in an arm or leg. Such symptoms can have different causes and do not automatically mean the child has polio, but they require urgent assessment and reporting.
Health authorities must also maintain effective surveillance, reach underserved communities and ensure vaccines are accessible to children who might otherwise be missed.
World Polio Day is a reminder that eradication depends on continued commitment, not simply past achievements. Every child who receives the recommended vaccinations brings the world closer to a future free from polio.
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