CANVASS IMPORTANCE OF IMMUNIZATION: UNICEF BEG STAKEHOLDERS

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

As world immunization week continues, the Chief, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, has stressed the need for parents and caregivers, healthcare professionals, policy and decision-makers as well as the media to promote immunization.

Mrs. Chiluwe stated this in Enugu, during media briefing, as part of activities to mark this year’s World Immunization week.

Mrs. Chiluwe revealed that in the last forty years alone, vaccines have helped to reduce child mortality by eighty percent and saved over one billion lives.

According to the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, the eradication of smallpox and near eradication of polio demonstrates what science, community and international cooperation can do.

Still speaking on this year’s Immunization week, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Olusoji Akinleye, noted that 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the Essential programme on Immunization (EPI), the routine immunization schedule and drive that saved and improved lives all over the world.

Dr. Olusoji also expressed happiness that for the first time ever, malaria vaccine would be deployed this year, while numerous countries had committed to vaccinating millions of girls against human papilloma virus (HPV), an effort that could see the world defeating a cancer for the first time.

The World Immunization week raises awareness of the importance of immunization as a means of saving lives.

The theme of this year’s World Immunization week is “Humanly Possible: Immunization for all.”

The theme advocates celebrating immunization and investing in a future where vaccinating every child is Humanly possible.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU