In a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare accessibility for children in Nigeria, the U.S. government has declared its untiring commitment to reaching zero-dose children nationwide.
Dr. Patricia Tanifum, the Programme Director of the Global Immunisation Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delivered this assurance during a roundtable discussion held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The zero-dose children refer to those who have yet to receive any vaccines according to the routine immunization schedule. These children are identified based on their lack of vaccination, particularly the absence of the first dose of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine (DTP1).
The announcement emphasizes the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in expanding immunization coverage and ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to life-saving vaccines.
Tanifum said this commitment comes as part of ongoing efforts to reduce child mortality rates and ensure a healthier future for Nigerian children because of immunization in safeguards children’s health and well-being.
“Immunisation is a fundamental right of every child, and we are fully committed to ensuring that no child in Nigeria is left behind when it comes to life-saving vaccines.”
According to recent estimates, Nigeria has a significant number of children who have not received any vaccination, commonly referred to as “zero-dose children.
“This vulnerable group is at a higher risk of contracting preventable diseases, which can have severe consequences for their health and overall development,” she said.
To address this issue, she said that the U.S. government pledged to provide substantial technical support to Nigeria’s immunization programmes.
“The assistance will continue to focus on strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and improving vaccine distribution systems to ensure that vaccines reach even the most remote areas,” she said.
Dr Hadley Ikwe, Senior Immunisation Specialist, Global Immunisation Division, Global Health Center, U.S. CDC, said that the U.S. government had continued to support the Government of Nigeria to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases in the country.
Ikwe said that this was in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners, optimize routine immunization and sustain wild polio eradication efforts in the country.
“We are working with partners to eradicate all forms of polioviruses in Nigeria, increase routine immunization coverage in Nigeria to 90 percent by 2028, and reduce zero-dose children in consequential geographies.
“Also, integrate immunization investments with other Primary Health Care services towards strengthening the health system,” he said.
According to him, vaccines have been one of the most impactful interventions in preventing illnesses and deaths in the history of public health.
“Vaccines have successfully eradicated diseases like smallpox, and polio; eliminate diseases, maternal/neonatal tetanus, control many others like measles, meningitis, yellow fever, pneumonia, hepatitis, pertussis, and more.
“Vaccines target priority diseases that can cause disability and death in all age groups,” he said.
He said that high vaccination coverage in a community could help protect the few unvaccinated individuals from infections and prevent disease outbreaks or epidemics.
He disclosed that there were no fewer than 19 million zero-dose children worldwide, 58 percent of which live in just 10 countries.
“Four African countries make up 4.4 million zero children.
“The COVID-19 pandemic led to large global increases in zero-dose children.
“With 2.3 million zero-dose children, Nigeria accounts for the highest burden globally. Only about 57 percent of eligible children in Nigeria were fully vaccinated as of 2021,” he said.
He said that zero-dose children were susceptible to many diseases and that the introduction and spread of disease within a community could cause epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Also, the CEO of Sydani Group, Dr Sidney Sampson, said: “By reaching zero-dose children, we can significantly reduce child mortality rates and create a healthier future for Nigeria.
“Our partnership with the Nigerian government and other stakeholders will be critical in achieving this goal.
“This commitment from the U.S. government is a testament to the strong partnership between our nations. Together, we can overcome the challenges and ensure that every child in Nigeria receives the lifesaving vaccines they deserve,” he said.
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