The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has raised serious concerns about the vaccination status of children in Nigeria's Northeast region, revealing that 12 local governments in Borno and Yobe States remain at zero-dose levels of vaccination.
Joseph Senesie, head of UNICEF's Maiduguri Field Office, disclosed this alarming information during a Media Dialogue on Journalism Ethics and Child Rights Reporting held in Damaturu, Yobe State.
According to Senesie, the situation is compounded by the fact that nearly two million children in the region are currently out of school, highlighting the multiple challenges facing children's welfare in the conflict-affected Northeast.
Progress Amid Challenges
Despite these challenges, UNICEF reports some progress in their immunization efforts. "32,215 children who had never been vaccinated (zero dose) have now been targeted and have received immunization," Senesie stated.
He further noted that "1.2 million children were immunized with the pentavalent vaccine while 1.6 million people were reached with the cholera vaccine in the region."
The pentavalent vaccine provides protection against five major diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which causes pneumonia and meningitis.
Call to Media
Addressing journalists at the dialogue, Senesie emphasized the crucial role of media in highlighting both successes and gaps in child welfare programs.
"As the fourth estate of the realm, UNICEF invites you to conduct independent reports on the successes and gaps to shape the national agenda and improve the wellbeing of children," he said.
"The society counts on the quality of your report to shape the narrative of children in Nigeria's northeast region," Senesie added, underscoring the importance of accurate and impactful reporting on children's issues.
The zero-dose vaccination status in these local governments presents significant public health concerns, as unvaccinated children remain vulnerable to preventable diseases that can cause serious illness, disability, or death.
Health experts have consistently emphasized that vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing an estimated 2-3 million deaths annually worldwide.
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