The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Nigeria has outlined plans to immunize no fewer than 2.3 million zero-dose children in partnership with the Federal Government.
The US CDC revealed that over 10 million children are estimated to be zero-dose children globally, with 58 percent of them living in just 10 countries, including Nigeria.
The US CDC disclosed the plan to journalists in Abuja at the CDC Nigeria Media Roundtable, “Saving Lives through Immunization: US CDC and Nigeria Collaborative Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children.”
In her opening remarks, the Programme Director of US CDC Nigeria, Dr. Patricia Tanifum, emphasized the crucial role immunizations play in safeguarding public health, particularly for infants. She added that many children missed out on immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These life-saving vaccines protect against a range of diseases, ensuring healthy growth and preventing fatalities. However, despite concerted efforts, not every child receives the necessary vaccinations,” she said.
“Even as the world grappled with COVID-19, other diseases persisted. In Nigeria, a country that sees nearly 5 million births annually, ensuring timely vaccinations for all children posed a monumental challenge.”
“We are supporting the government to reach the zero-dose children. The country has been working to reach these children, but we still have a long way to go. So, the US CDC is contributing very strongly towards reaching these children,” she said.
Also, the Senior Immunization Specialist, Dr. Hadley Ikwe, in his presentation, said the center is supporting the Federal Government to reduce childhood illnesses and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Ikwe also explained that vaccines save lives and are one of the most impactful interventions in preventing illnesses and deaths in the history of public health.
According to him: “Four African countries make up 4.4 million zero-dose children. The COVID-19 pandemic led to large global increases in zero-dose children.”
“The 10 countries contributing to 58 percent of the global zero-dose burden are Nigeria (2.3m), Ethiopia (1.1m), India (1.1m), Democratic Republic of the Congo (753,000), Philippines (637,000), Angola (614,000), Indonesia (571,000), Brazil (431,000), Pakistan (431,000), and Mozambique (377,000).”
“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.”
“Zero-dose children are susceptible to many diseases. The introduction and spread of disease within a community can cause epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases,” Ikwe said.
The expert added that zero-dose children are mostly in regions with access and equity gaps.
He, however, said Nigeria’s vaccination program has identified 100 priority high-burden local government areas to target zero-dose reduction efforts and strengthen Primary Healthcare Centers.
“CDC is directly supporting the government in selecting geographies through intensified investments in immunization second-tier between 2023 and 2028 to target high-burden zero-dose LGAs in second-tier LGAs in Niger and Zamfara states, particularly in security-compromised areas, and hard-to-reach and missed communities; use innovative integrated strategies including better microplanning, and build capacity and workforce development,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Sydani Group, Sidney Sampson, reiterated the Group’s commitment to supporting the CDC in reaching zero-dose children in the country.
“This is about the Nigerian child, and all of us at some point were children. When we say reaching zero children, we mean those children who have never been reached.
“This means those who don’t benefit from immunization interventions from both the government and other Non-Governmental Organizations working in the immunization area.”
Sidney pledged continued collaboration to address immunization gaps and strengthen healthcare delivery, highlighting the pivotal role of partnerships and collective action in achieving sustainable progress in disease prevention and healthcare provision.
“We are happy to be partners and support the effort of the US CDC have been putting in to ensure every child is reached with required doses,” he said.
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