In commemoration of World Polio Day, leading music stars and celebrity actors from across West and Central Africa, in collaboration with UNICEF, have come together to release a new song titled No More Zero Dose to help bring childhood immunisation back on track.
The song brings together 12 of the region’s top musicians and UNICEF Champions—Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Sekouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo, and WAJE—to send a clear message: every child deserves to be protected by vaccines.
Through music, musicians and celebrities highlight the urgent need to reach nearly 4.3 million children across the region who have not received any vaccinations and protect them from preventable childhood diseases like polio, measles, and more.
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UNICEF, in a release, stated that “No More Zero Dose” has been launched on YouTube and will soon be available on popular streaming platforms, saying that the song would serve as a reminder that while progress has been made, the fight to end zero-dose cases continues.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, in a remark, said zero-dose children are the most vulnerable, and ensuring they receive life-saving vaccines is critical for their future.
Fagninou declared, “This song amplifies that message. We can and must reach every child and eradicate polio. UNICEF is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.”
Nigerian music producer Cobhams Asuquo, a UNICEF Champion who spearheaded the collaboration, urged everyone to join in the fight against preventable diseases like polio.
He declared, “Together, we have the power to protect every child’s future and eradicate these diseases for good. Let us work to ensure that every child receives the vital vaccine they deserve, protecting their future and our world.
“Join us in this mission—let’s spread hope and health across Africa.”
In a comment, UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, said that the project is significant for Nigeria, a country still facing a high number of undervaccinated children.
“The release of the No More Zero Dose song featuring 12 talented artists from across West and Central Africa, eight of whom are from Nigeria, reflects the deep commitment to ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines.
“Music is a powerful tool for change, and through this collaboration, we are amplifying the message that no child should be missed,” she declared.
Currently, West and Central Africa is the region with the lowest immunisation coverage in the world, with Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) coverage for the region at 69 percent in 2023, down from 72 percent in 2019.
In addition, the region has also experienced multiple vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in recent years, including polio, measles, diphtheria, and yellow fever.
According to the release, as of October 22, 2024, there have been 138 polio cases in Africa, and nearly half of infected children were in Nigeria. In 2023, there were 506 polio cases in Africa.
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