UNICEF Nigeria sounds alarm over the urgent need for widespread vaccination in the midst of the most severe diphtheria outbreak in recent global history.
Data released by UNICEF indicated that the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria has so far resulted in over 11,500 suspected cases, more than 7,000 confirmed cases, and 453 deaths of which are mostly children.
In a statement, the UNICEF Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan noted that most of the reported cases are children aged between 4 to 15 years who have not received a single dose of the vital vaccine, laying bare the urgency of the vaccination situation in the country.
UNICEF also said it is providing urgent support to the Nigerian government in its efforts to combat the outbreak and the support includes the procurement of vaccines to support the response.
The Children’s charity said it has deployed 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states including Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa.
It explained that another 4 million doses of vaccines are being procured and will be handed over to the government in the coming weeks.”
UNICEF Nigeria called on partners, stakeholders, and the international community to rally together to ensure that every child in Nigeria is reached with life-saving vaccines.
