According to Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, around 2.3 million children are still unvaccinated.
Every child deserves a healthy start in life, and immunization is vital in safeguarding them from preventable diseases, ensuring they grow strong and healthy.
She stresses the importance of addressing this issue, stating that, “Vaccines are a fundamental right for every child and key to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities. Our goal is to increase vaccination rates annually, and by 2025, we aim to have 30% more children vaccinated.”
In a concerted effort to address the alarming rate of unvaccinated children, Lagos State has launched an intensive immunization drive to bridge the zero-dose gap. Scheduled to run from October 19 to November 2, 2024, the two-week campaign will focus on vaccinating thousands of children who have not received any routine immunizations, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
Dr. Akinpelu Adetola, Immunization Coordinator at the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, highlighted the significance of this statewide effort to close the immunity gap.
“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination schedules, and we are now seeing the consequences, with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases across states. This campaign is crucial in vaccinating against diseases such as measles and yellow fever, and also in ensuring that girls who missed the HPV vaccine can receive it.”
The campaign will prioritize high-risk areas, particularly underserved communities and informal settlements where vaccine coverage has been low. With over 20 million residents, Lagos faces the immense challenge of ensuring access to vaccines for all children.
Health officials, in collaboration with local authorities, healthcare workers, and community leaders, will establish vaccination posts at markets, schools, religious centres, and health clinics to reach as many children as possible.
Dr. Akinpelu emphasized that the goal is to leave no child behind, saying, “While we ideally aim for 90% coverage, our priority is to ensure that every child is vaccinated.”
To support the campaign’s success, the Lagos State government has mobilized additional healthcare workers to manage the expected surge in children needing immunization. They have also arranged for proper vaccine storage equipment to ensure the vaccines remain effective.
The state is partnering with international organizations like UNICEF to reinforce its immunization system and guarantee sustained access to vaccines.
Bridging the zero-dose gap is crucial for Lagos State to achieve its broader health objectives. Increased immunization coverage will lower the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, reduce child mortality, and enhance the overall health and well-being of the population. This campaign aligns with Nigeria’s national immunization strategy and the global health goals set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
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