The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 6.2million children are zero dose (unvaccinated), a consequence of the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 to 2021 in Nigeria.
WHO also noted that the Africa Region estimates show that the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunization services has driven up the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children, rising by 16% between 2019 and 2021 and pushing the cumulative total (2019–2021) to around 33 million, which represents nearly half the global estimate.
According to the report, an estimated 33 million children will need to be vaccinated in Africa between 2023 and 2025 to put the continent back on track to achieve the 2030 global immunization goals that include reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative to Nigeria (WR) made this known at a Medial Round Table on the 2023 African Vaccination Week celebration on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, reaching these children would require renewed and intensified efforts by Government and partners.
He said, “To galvanize the commitments required, WHO conducted a high-level event during the African Union Summit in February 2023, where African heads of state endorsed a declaration aimed at revamping and scaling up routine immunization across the continent and implementing urgent measures to address persistent bottlenecks in vaccine and health care delivery systems
“To realise this declaration, this year African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week, from 24–30 April, with the theme “The Big Catch-Up” has been announced. This is a global push by WHO and partners to intensify efforts to reach children who missed vaccinations, as well as to restore and strengthen routine immunization programmes. “The Big Catch Up” is actually a year-long campaign aiming to reverse the serious setbacks in routine immunization.
“Acknowledge current efforts by Government for: 83% reduction in circulating Variant Polio Virus type 2. A significant feat in sustaining certification for the eradication of Wild Polio Virus in Nigeria.
Mulombo added, “Being proactive on the part of the Government of Nigeria and the National Primary Health Care Agency for implementing the Optimized Outreach Sessions, integration of Routine Immunization during COVID-19 vaccination, Measles and Yellow Fever Supplementary Immunization Activities. These are key for the reduction in the high burden of zero dose children in Nigeria and aligns the theme for the 2023 AVW celebration.
“The plan to introduce malaria vaccine in routine immunization, and Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) in 2023 and 2024 are commendable as it aligns with establishing a life-course platform for immunization for optimum dividend from vaccination,” he said.
Mulombo further hinted that: “WHO Supports for AVW Supporting Nigeria’s full participation in the Reginald Working Group for Catch-up to ensure effective planning and resource mobilization for the 20 countries with high burden of zero dose children in the region.
“The World Health Organisation since 2015 issued revised immunization scheduled to support the “Big Catch-up” so that children who missed being vaccinated can be safely vaccinated with appropriate vaccines. This is part of over 15 guidelines and strategies issued to countries including Nigeria.
“Supporting the NPHCDA engagement with 36 states and the FCT to develop tailored strategies to reach zero dose and unimmunized children
“WHO has prioritised technical support for the zero-dose agenda and the Big Catch-up” in all states and LGAs,” Mulombo added.
“This year’s AVW requires the full participation of all key stakeholders including the media to communicate with caregivers to take children for routine immunization services at the nearest health facility, ” he urged the media.
“Create awareness to enable children who missed their immunization schedules to go to the nearest health facility to be assessed and vaccinated appropriately, pointing out that encouraging community leaders to take responsibility to organise and participate fully in the conduct of immunization sessions including monitoring uptake of vaccines in the community will be helpful.
“Encourage traditional and religious leaders as well as civil society groups to mobilize the community to always demand and access immunization services,” he said.
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