In 2008, 798 children were paralysed by polio in Nigeria – more than any country in the world. This is because not enough children are vaccinated.
There is a solution to ending polio. The oral polio vaccine is safe and effective and has successfully stopped polio in over 190 countries.
Vaccinating every child under five years old builds population immunity. If every child is protected, the virus can no longer survive.
To reach every child, adequate vaccine and logistics must be sourced and distributed to local government cold stores.
Just as important, parents must be told of the threat that polio presents to their children, and how to protect them.
Politicians and law makers must visibly support vaccination campaigns and commit themselves publicly to eradicating the virus.
So take a moment to think about how lucky you are to have the full use of your arms and legs, and put your hand up for polio eradication!