UNICEF Stresses Importance of Child Immunization in Nigeria
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has emphasized the need for every child in Nigeria to be immunized against life-threatening diseases and infections. According to UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer, Celine Lafoucriere, 2.3 million children in Nigeria remain unvaccinated, mostly in marginalized and hard-to-reach areas.
Lafoucriere noted that vaccines are essential to children’s health and a fundamental right. UNICEF is collaborating with the government and partners to address this challenge, prioritizing 100 local government areas with high concentrations of unvaccinated children.
Key Highlights:
- 2.3 million Nigerian children remain unvaccinated.
- Unvaccinated children are mostly in marginalized and hard-to-reach areas.
- Vaccines are essential to children’s health and a fundamental right.
- Collaboration between UNICEF, government, and partners to address the issue.
Dr. Adeniyi Adebayo, Assistant Immunisation Programme Officer, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, emphasized that:
- Zero-dose children are those not immunized from birth.
- Under-immunized children have incomplete vaccinations.
- All vaccines and immunizations in Nigeria are free.
UNICEF urges the media to help sensitize Nigerians on the importance of vaccines and dispel rumors and misinformation.
