Foundation Urges FG, Stakeholders to Accelerate Actions Toward Reducing death from Vaccines Preventable Disease

 

.....As Global vaccination rates drops.

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

Save the Children International has called on federal, state and

local governments, all stakeholders to end childhood death from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The international NGO believed that immunization saves millions of lives, also recognized as one of the world's most successful health interventions.

Meanwhile available records have showed that only 3.5 million children received vaccines in 2020 compared to 2019.

This is contained in a statement signed on Monday by the Media and Communications Manager, Save the Children International, Kunle Olawoyin in Abuja to commorates World Immunization Week said, COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the disruption of immunization services, leaving millions of children at greater risk of missing out on critical vaccinations against diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough, pneumonia, and poliomyelitis.

Shannon Ward, Interim Country Director, Save the Children International in Nigeria noted that every child needs to be vaccinated against preventable diseases. These diseases according to her can negatively impact quality of life and cause death. "We welcome increased emphasis and training for health workers and community members on the many benefits of immunization.” he added

According to the statement, this year World Immunization Week with the theme “Long Life for All” aims to highlight the collective action needed, and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against vaccine preventable diseases.

It says the theme is apt as the world gradually recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. "This brings us another opportunity to enhance the collaboration of various stakeholders and interest groups including community, religious, and traditional rulers and private sector companies to contribute to improving health for all towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3". Its added

Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media, Save the Children International in Nigeria  urged Government of Nigeria to support an increase in domestic investment in the health sector to meet with 15% target of the Abuja Declaration (2001) and ensure that health spending improved child health services, including by removing user fees, reducing non-financial barriers to accessing care, and prioritizing primary health services, among others. Focusing on zero-dose children is particularly important because those who are reached with the first vaccine are highly likely to also receive remaining dosages.

Her words; “This week provides us an opportunity to increase public awareness about the importance of every person’s need and rights, including that of children, girls, women and people with disabilities, to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. We call for increased coordination, collaboration with and support of stakeholders and the government to be able to deliver high-quality, timely, free and accessible immunization programmes at all level.”

Save the Children International however called on the federal and state governments to keep immunization high on their sustainable development agendas as vaccinated communities will be healthy, productive and resilient.

Hence, Save the Children supports the need for accelerating vaccine coverage by supporting Gavi’s 2020 replenishment and ensuring investment drives for more equitable vaccination coverage, and to improve vaccine affordability, especially for children and other vulnerable groups.