2014 Nigeria Polio Eradication Emergency Plan

"To address anti-polio sentiments and violence targeting polio workers early in 2013, the program intensified social and community mobilization activities providing opportunities for community leaders to engage in the response and become advocates for the program's success."

As detailed in this strategy document, the Nigeria's Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication (PTFoPE) oversees the implementation of the 2014 National Polio Eradication Emergency Plan (NPEEP), with the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) providing technical direction and coordinating Government and partners' efforts at the central level and the State EOCs or their equivalents coordinating implementation at the state level.

Statistics related to the emergency plan are provided as accomplished in 2013, with 2014 strategies outlined. For example, Nigeria recorded an approximate 58% reduction in the number of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases compared to 2012. "The improvements in the polio eradication efforts have been due to the improved quality of SIAs [supplementary immunisation activities] in 2013 with the proportion of LGAs [local government associations] achieving an LQAS [Lot Quality Assurance Sampling] estimated coverage of at least 80% increasing from 64% to around 74% by September 2013." In that light, the 2014 NPEEP identified the following strategic priorities: (i) improving the quality of Immunisation Plus Days (IPDs) in LGAs/Wards that persistently perform poorly; (ii) increasing reach of children with oral polio vaccine (OPV) in security-compromised areas; (iii) rapidly containing circulation in breakthrough polio transmission zones; (iv) mounting timely and adequate polio outbreak responses; (v) reaching underserved populations; (vi) intensifying surveillance; (vii) expanding technologies/innovations to further improve micro-planning and team performance (e.g., Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for tracking vaccinators during polio national immunisation days (NIDs) and analysis of data for the generation of geospatial products such as maps and charts); (viii) intensifying communication and demand creation; (ix) boosting child immunity in between rounds and in polio-free states; and (x) optimizing human resources and stricter implementation of the accountability framework.

Amongst the communication activities carried out in Nigeria in 2013 as part of the eradication effort: "The engagement of polio survivors to resolve non-compliant household was...a game changer....Over 1000 members of the Polio Survivor's Association are working to enhance community engagement, particularly given the low risk perception among communities where non-compliance remains high. Religious leaders have been mapped according to sect in the high risk LGAs, and 200 focal points are engaging with local mallams and koranic school teachers to further enhance support within communities. There currently ongoing efforts to ensure that community leaders at the settlements are fully engaged (Mai-anguans). Some LGAs enlisted the support of 'doctors against polio' who are local physicians who advocate for the program in the worst performing areas of the LGA. The program expanded the recruitment of Voluntary Community Mobilizers (VCMs) to conduct social and communication outreach activities prior to vaccination campaigns, identify newborns and immunize zero dose children in-between rounds. The program also developed pro-polio CDs and launched an aggressive Bluetooth campaign to address anti-polio sentiment and counter anti-polio messages in selected areas with high non-compliance."

The report and its annexes outline various strategic priorities going forward. For example, Strategic Priority 8 is: "Intensifying household and community engagement to build demand". Activities include: engagement of local traditional/religious leaders and stakeholders; development of evidence-based communication plans in every high-risk LGA; efforts to recruit additional Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCMs); mapping of new community-based partners and youth groups in the highest risk areas; introduction of polling approach to enhance social data collection and analysis; provision of demand creation commodities, particularly unfelt needs; and expanded use of health camps.