… urge sustained investment in immunization
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has attributed the continuous increase in preventable vaccines to the lack of liquidation of governments towards appropriate vaccines and has requested a continuous investment in immunization initiatives.
This problem was addressed during a two-day multi-zonal dialogue on the current 2025 world immunization week (Wiw), which promotes the theme: “Immunization for all is humanly possible”, in Enugu in ENUGU with 12 Nigerian states participating.
The event brought together states participants such as Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Kogi and Rivers.
Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, head of the UNICEF ENUGU Field Office, characterized vaccines as one of the most significant achievements of humanity, which emphasizes that vital vaccines have saved more than 154 million lives in the last 50 years.
“As we address the World Immunization Week in 2025, it is crucial to emphasize the continuous importance of this global observance. This year's issue underlines the need to provide protection against preventable vaccines for all individuals, from newborns to elderly, through inclusive and equitable immunization services.
“Today marks the launch of Wiw celebrations worldwide, and UNICEF is working together with medical care providers and governments to advocate the principles of immunization services, ensuring that access reaches each individual.
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“UNICEF takes this opportunity to reiterate that vaccines show that less diseases and more lives can be achieved when we commit to the cause. It is time to show the world that” immunization for all is humanly possible, “he emphasized.
Chiluwe reiterated that in the last 50 years, vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, which implies six lives every minute, day after day, for five decades.
He requested the immediate and continuous political approach and financial support to reinforce immunization and safeguard the significant advances made to reduce infant mortality during the last half century.
The multi-zonal dialogue, cohosted by the Corporation of Transmission of the State of Abia, included promises of participating journalists to monitor immunization efforts in their respective states, especially in rural communities.
In his speech, Francis Nwubani, general director of the Abia Radiodice Corporation (BCA), emphasized that this year's issue intends to advance in the “humanly possible” campaign, focusing on the crucial need for higher vaccination rates, particularly among children.
“As 2025 marks the midpoint in the 2030 Immunization Agenda, the World Immunization Week will explore not only the immediate benefits of immunization to improve lives today, but also the possible long -term impacts as more children receive essential vaccines and measure that new vaccines develop to address a wide variety of diseases and age groups.”
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