…says low vaccination uptake fuels child mortality
By Rotimi Idris
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday lamented that 2.3million children in Nigeria were yet to receive vaccines in Nigeria, noting that low uptake of immunization was fueling the child mortality rate in the country.
The UNICEF Social Behavior Change Communication Specialist, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole made the revelation in Lagos at a 2-day media dialogue on routine immunization organised by the agency in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board.
This was just as the Chief UNICEF Field Office for the Southwest, Celine Lafoucriere, said the agency was committed to supporting the Nigeria’s healthcare system in reducing zero-dose children as well as improving immunization coverage .
Lafoucriere who lamented that the affected children predominantly in the marginalized areas were unvaccinated, said that there was need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to enhance routine immunization and reduce zero-dose children.
She added that UNICEF in partnership with the government had prioritised 100 local government across 18 states with the highest concentration of zero dose children in increasing the immunization uptake.
Lafoucriere solicited the support of the media organizations to raise awareness about importance of vaccines, address the misconception as well as encourage vaccines through their reportage.
She said, “Your own influence is very important. You can catalyse actions, help dispel rumors and misinformation about vaccines.
“By working collectively, we can build a resilience health system that is capable of reaching each and every child leaving no one behind.No matter where they live, we must ensure that no child in Nigeria suffers from preventable diseases”, she added.
Akinwale called on government at all levels to improve its funding for the health sector to address financial gap in immunisation and reduce zero-dose children.
Akinola-Akinwole who emphasized the importance of immunisation in saving millions lives, stressed the need for the governments to intensify their efforts toward achieving universal immunization coverage.
Akinola-Akinwole disclosed that spread of rumours about routine immunization, limited access to healthcare facilities, inadequate funding and cultural barriers were the challenges hampering universal immunization in the country.
The Assistant Immunisation Programme Officer, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Adeniji Abebayo emphasised on the urgent need for every child to be fully immunised.
He expressed the readiness of the Lagos State to vaccinate a total of 21 million residents representing 85% of the state population from nine to 44 years against Yellow fever.
Adebayo noted that the exercise would be conducted between October 17 and November 2, 2024 adding that the state government would deploy 14,000 health workers to ensure hitch-free vaccination.
He charged parents to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the state government to get their children vaccinated against preventable illness.