The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised the Nigerian government to scale up routine immunisation to enable more than 24,000 babies born daily receive all vaccines scheduled for the first two years of their lives.

Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, Nigeria, made the call at an event to commemorate the 2022 African Vaccination Week (AVW) in Abuja.

It was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

To commemorate this year’s AVW, Nigeria adopted the theme “Long Life for All – Vaccinate for Healthy Living”.

Mr Mulombo said he was aware of the Nigeria Strategy for Routine Immunisation and Primary Health Care Systems Strengthening (NSIPSS) 2.0.The WHO representative assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to the agenda of PHC revitalisation, immunisation systems strengthening and interruption of the cVPDV2 outbreak in the country.

“I am very confident with the strategies adopted, and we will continue to sustain eradication of WPV in Nigeria,” he added.

Eduardo Blanco, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Health, said the hard work, perseverance and dedication of the frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives and volunteers working to provide health and immunisation services to Nigerians, was astonishing.

“I have seen the hard work, efforts, commitment and perseverance of health workers at all levels; I have witnessed community volunteers working tirelessly in their communities.

“I have seen health workers working 24/7 to provide services to women and children. And I have observed the leadership, commitment and sound technical knowledge of NPHCDA and Federal Ministry of Health staff at all levels,” Mr Blanco said.

Melissa Freeman, Rep. USAID Nigeria, said as Nigeria celebrated, it must not forget to continuously emphasise that vaccines and hand washing remained the most effective public health measures for disease prevention and control.

(NAN)