4.3 million Children in West and Central Africa have never been vaccinated. Families and communities must ensure every child is immunized against polio and other diseases as every vaccine administered is a step towards a secure future.
UNICEF and other key partners gave the charge at the launch of a themed song “No more zero dose” to promote complete immunization and end zero-dose Children.
In 2024, Outbreaks of the variant poliovirus was recorded in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, D. R. Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. While 116 children have been affected by polio in West and Central Africa.
UNICEF Country Director, Cristian Munduate said over 50 years, Vaccines have continuously saved lives.
expressed sadness that some children are not vaccinated due to limited resources.
She disclosed that Nigeria accounts for 2.4 million of these Children out of the 4.3 million in West and Central Africa. Hence, the urgent need to reach zero-dose children—those who have not received any vaccinations.
Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa added that it is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.”
Representative of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on health who appreciated key players in safeguarding the health of every Child says efforts must be targeted at continuous collaboration to sustain healthcare, welfare of Health Workers and prioritize every Child’s health.
The first lady of Lagos State Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu assured partners of the state’s commitment to continuously scale up immunization even after the state-integrated Immunization Programme.
Music Producer and UNICEF Champion Cobhams Asuquo who spearheaded the production alongside 11 other ambassadors from Nigeria, Mali, Chad, and Cameroon explained that as Music knows no border just as viruses. The tool plays a special role in achieving progress breaks barriers and brings about behavioral change.
Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Sekouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo, and WAJE through the song amplified the need for complete immunization.
Paralympic Powerlifter and Polio Survivor, Victoria Nneji in a fireside chat appealed to Parents to Ensure children are Immunized against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Event also featured live immersion experience where Guests made commitments to ensure every child has the right to quality care which entails complete Immunization for healthy growth and beautiful future.