- 300,000 children unimmunised in Kano
From Agaju Madugba, Kano
Although Nigeria has made significant progress in the campaign for immunisation of children aged 0-5 years against childhood killer diseases, according to UNICEF, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states in the north have tended to drag the nation backwards in the quest to meet desired targets of the campaign.
“For instance, in the three states of the Northwest of Nigeria, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, there are over 600,000 children who have not been vaccinated against childhood killer diseases,” the Chief, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr. Rahama Farah, said in Kano on Wednesday.
He spoke at the opening ceremony of a media dialogue on routine immunisation and zero-dose campaign, organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency.
Participants at the programme are drawn from journalists from Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states.
According to him, out of the population of unimmunised children in the three states, 300,000 of them are from Kano alone, representing about 50 per cent of unimmunised children from the area.
According to Farah, “immunisation is the single, most cost-effective, and high-impact intervention which protects children against illness and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
“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 Imnunisation Coverage Survey Results have shown that over the years, Nigeria has made progress in immunisation coverage, however, it is also clear that gaps exist.
“This situation is unacceptable and should be reversed urgently.
“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 call on the governments of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and other states with zero-dose local Government Areas to take concerted action to strengthen their primary healthcare system.”
“Let me reiterate UNICEF’s commitment to working with and supporting the state governments to ensuring that the well-being of children and their rights are fulfilled and protected.”
