Fatshimetrie
Today, the health landscape in Nigeria is a matter of grave concern to health experts. As many as 2.3 million Nigerian children have never received a single dose of routine vaccination, putting them at risk of contracting preventable diseases and even death. This alarming situation has prompted the National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHCDA), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi and the state government, to launch the Zero Dose Reduction Initiative, dubbed ZDROP.
The ambitious programme aims to identify, track and vaccinate children who have never received any vaccination. To this end, the Lagos State Government is targeting the age group of 0 to 44 years for a supplementary vaccination campaign. This is essential to provide maximum vaccination coverage to the population and thus prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
During a media dialogue on routine immunization, UNICEF Representative for South West Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, highlighted the vital importance of vaccines for children’s health, considering them a basic human right. However, she highlighted the sad reality that 2.3 million Nigerian children have never received a single vaccine, calling on all stakeholders, including the media, to bridge the immunization gap nationwide.
The challenges in reaching unvaccinated children in Nigeria are many. These include lack of adequate health infrastructure, long travel times to access available vaccination centres, and compromised security areas. In addition, the spread of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy contribute to worsening the already dire situation of unimmunized children.
However, to address this vaccine inequity and ensure that no child is left behind, UNICEF is committed to providing quality vaccines for all, regardless of class, race or democracy. Working with the Nigerian government and other international partners, UNICEF is working to ensure the availability of vaccines and their distribution to the most marginalized populations, to reach every child, even in the most remote areas of the country.
In parallel, Lagos State is set to launch a massive statewide supplementary immunization campaign, scheduled for 19 October 2024. This initiative aims to close the immunity gaps and achieve optimal vaccination coverage for measles, yellow fever and other routine vaccines. Through this campaign, the health authorities hope to reach over 80% of unvaccinated children in the 20 LGAs of Lagos State, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the health of the population.
In conclusion, immunization remains a key pillar of public health and a fundamental right for all children. It is imperative that efforts continue to ensure universal access to vaccines and thus protect future generations from preventable diseases. Collective mobilization of all stakeholders is required to address the immunization challenge and ensure a healthier future for Nigeria.