Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
As part of efforts to create awareness and improve on routine immunization among children, the United Nations Children’s Fund in collaboration with state primary health care development agencies has engage media in creating more awareness to the general public.
The two days dialogue with journalist drawn from Abuja, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States held at the Sokoto Guest Inn on Saturday.
Speaking in his remarks, the Unicef Chief field officer in Sokoto, Dr Maryam Said, described lack of routine immunization is the major contributing factor affecting children under five years of age.
“States covered by the Sokoto Field office have the highest burden of Un-immunized children in Nigeria, with the field office harboring 22 LGAs out of the 100 high burden zero dose LGAs in Nigeria. The recent outbreaks of Diphtheria in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states were found to have occurred in locations with zero-dose children.
“This points to the imperative of strengthening Routine Immunization as the outbreaks signpost the danger posed to children’s lives by low immunization coverage levels.
“It is essential to build on UNICEF’s strong partnership with the media to sustain messaging on the importance of Routine Immunization, highlighting what parents, caregivers, communities, traditional and religious leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders should do to promote routine immunization “
Speaking in his remarks, the Director Public health, Sokoto State ministry of health, called on general public to take into cognisance the negative effects of zero dose on the children.
He said the complete immunization on children will help against contacting tuberculosis and other forms of vaccine preventable disease.
He said Nigeria is one of the top three nations that contribute to the high level of vaccine preventable disease in the world.
Also speaking, a traditional ruler in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabi called on government and other stakeholders in the state to contribute to zero dose reduction campaign.
Jabi who is the District head of Gagi community in the state further said immunization campaign goes beyond government or any individual but a collective people in the society.
