The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the lack of immunization against deadly diseases for more than 600,000 children in the states of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa.
Rahama Farah, the chief UNICEF field officer, highlighted the pressing issue during a media dialogue on routine immunization and zero dose campaign in Kano on Wednesday.
According to Farah, a significant number of these unvaccinated children are located in Kano, emphasizing the need to implement the Nigeria primary health care policy to reach unimmunized children in rural areas.
In the three states of the north-west of Nigeria: Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, there are over 600,000 children who have not been vaccinated against childhood killer diseases,” NAN quoted Farah as saying.
This is closer to about 40 per cent of the total unimmunised children in Nigeria.
“Over 300,000 of those children are in Kano state, representing 50 per cent of the three states under the UNICEF Kano office.
“This situation is unacceptable and should be reversed urgently.”
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He said the governments of the three states should prioritise interventions by providing essential medical services and improving primary healthcare centres in the region.
“Immunisation is the single, most cost-effective, and high-impact intervention which protects children against illness and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases,” he added.
“Yet, despite proven safety, efficacy and availability of vaccines, immunisation uptake has not always been optimal.
“Myths, disinformation, misinformation and rumours have contributed a great deal to poor immunisation uptake, exposing children to high risk and death that can be avoidable when they don’t get immunised.
“The National Immunisation Coverage Survey Results have shown that over the years, Nigeria has made progress in immunisation coverage, however, it is also clear that gaps exist.
“As the UN agency mandated for the protection and promotion of children’s rights, we are extremely concerned when children don’t get immunised. When children have no access to immunisation services, their basic fundamental right is not fulfilled.
“I also take this opportunity and urge traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, and civil society organisations, to forge partnerships to eliminate the number of unimmunised children in Nigeria.”
The UNICEF chief called on the media to raise awareness on the importance of immunisation to caregivers, families, and communities.