The growing concern being expressed by Nigerians over the outbreak of Vaccine Derived Poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in 13 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) should not be treated lightly. Much as it seemed to have taken the country by surprise, the outbreak of this polio variant is outrightly unfortunate considering the huge funds expended on polio eradication. According to health professionals, this outbreak is worrisome as it threatens Nigeria’s wild polio virus-free status even as it is likely to compound the nation’s wobbly healthcare delivery system.
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Recent reports stated that the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, confirmed the cVDPV2 outbreaks in the FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Abia, Bayelsa, Borno and Delta states. Shuaib was also said to have noted that the agency had conducted four Outbreak Response strategies (OBRs) using the Novella Oral Polio Vaccine.