2.3 million children at risk of polio in Nigeria – UNICEF

 

By Idris Ayinde

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that about 2.3 million children in Nigeria have not received routine immunization (zero dose) bringing them at risk of polio outbreak.

UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, disclosed this during an awareness road walk in Bauchi on Thursday to commemorate this year’s World Polio Day.

According to her, out of this figure, about 22,000 children in Bauchi State have not received routine immunization thereby risking polio outbreak.

“For over 2 decades UNICEF has supported Bauchi state in its Polio Eradication Initiatives and Immunization Plus Days campaigns.

“This year alone we have supported three
Statewide Polio Outbreak Response campaigns and two targeted local outbreak Response in four LGAs with funding for vaccine logistics, social mobilization and technical assistance.

“It is heartwarming to note that Bauchi has been free of wild polio virus since the last case in 2013. However, we are still contending with the variant form of the virus

“Despite this success, 2.3 million children in Nigeria and around 22,000 children in Bauchi State have not received routine immunization.

“Outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus continue to persist,” she said.

The UNICEF boss further said that child deaths and physical disabilities that polio causes could be banished from the State, Nigeria and the World if the stakeholders continue to put all hands on the deck to stop polio outbreaks.

She said to completely eliminate polio, every child in every household must receive the vaccine, saying unfortunately, thousands of children are still missing out.

“The global decline in childhood immunisation coverage has led to rising outbreaks, even in countries that have been polio-free for decades.

“The battle against polio is particularly difficult in the most challenging environments, yet eradication is attainable.

“UNICEF delivers over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines each year, the largest portion of global vaccine deliveries,” she said.

Rafique further urged government at all levels to prioritise vaccination for all children against polio, especially in hard-to-reach areas and communities with low immunization rates.

She urged the government to keep polio eradication on the front burner of political discourse while leveraging innovative solutions and coordinated actions to enhance the quality of immunization campaigns.

“We ask the Bauchi Emirate Council to support the mobilisation of parents and caregivers to avail their children for vaccinations and to support the resolution of non-compliance during and after campaigns,” she urged.

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