THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has described vaccines used in immunisation efforts as “sustainable”, adding that they have saved six lives every minute over the last five decades.
UNICEF’s Chief, Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, made this known during a virtual media dialogue with journalists in Owerri yesterday, to mark the 2025 World Immunisation Week. Speaking on this year’s theme, “Immunisation For All Is Humanly Possible”, Chiluwe described vaccines as “one of humanity’s greatest achievements”.
She called for increased advocacy, communication, social mobilisation, and cold chain support to achieve routine immunisation that “would really reach everyone”.
Chiluwe further emphasised the need to strengthen infrastructure, such as establishing oxygen gas plants, to bolster health systems in states with the greatest needs.
“This year’s theme reaffirms the feasibility and necessity of protecting everyone, from newborns to the elderly, against vaccine-preventable diseases, through inclusive and equitable immunisation services.
“Vaccines remain vital and, over the past 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives, that is, six lives a minute, every day, for five decades.
“UNICEF, therefore, joins efforts with healthcare providers and governments to promote the values of immunisation services, ensuring that they reach the last mile,” she said.
Chiluwe commended the contributions from state governments that complement UNICEF’s efforts, and urged them not to relent in their partnerships.
She also called on them to build momentum on the progress made so far by continuing to provide budgetary allocations, ensuring that every eligible child receives lifesaving vaccines to survive and reach their full potential.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State and a UNICEF implementing partner, Mr Francis Nwanbani, stressed the need to replicate the successes of the past five decades going forward.
This, he said, would help achieve the “humanly possible” campaign.
“We must endeavour to reach more children with essential immunisations while developing new and newer vaccines to cover a broader range of diseases and ages,” he said.
