UNICEF has declared Nigeria as one of the few countries that will now have Rota Vaccines free of charge in public hospitals.
Eduardo Celades, a representative of UNICEF Nigeria revealed this today during the Flag-Off of African Vaccination Week 2022 and introduction of Rotavirus Vaccination into Nigerian Routine Immunisation Schedule.
The Rota Vaccine introduction was held at the Family Health Clinic in Garki, Abuja with the tag #AVW2022.
Speaking at the programme, Chairman Nigeria Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NG-TAG), Prof. Ibrahim Abdul Aguye said, “The introduction of ROTA Vaccine today, even though it came late, is commendable, and we congratulate the Federal Government of Nigeria, the NPHCDA and partners for this milestone.”
He said introduction of Rotavirus Vaccine is a big investment due to its substantial economic impact and number of lives that the country is going to save from the programme. It is also an opportunity to reduce the number of children dying every day from diarrhea diseases caused by Rotavirus.
Also speaking at the event, the USCDC representative in Nigeria, Prof. Becky Tagbo said, “The US government aligns with the Nigerian government in the ongoing efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate vaccine preventable diseases. We are also committed to ensuring that the Rota Vaccine is available to all eligible children in Nigeria.”
It is projected that while reducing the associated morbidity & mortality from the Rotavirus infections, the rotavirus vaccine launch has the potential to avert over 110,000 deaths over a 10-year period.
Representative of the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Abubakar Tafida said: “The Federal Government with support from Gavi, has spent huge amount of money to procure the Rota Vaccines because the health and well-being of our children is a priority of this administration.”
“The FCTA has complemented efforts of NPHCDA with adequate cold chain capacity for the
Rota Vaccine and community engagement activities are still ongoing to address vaccine
hesitancy.”
The African Vaccination Week provides the opportunity to showcase the importance of
vaccines in all our lives, and how they protect us, young and old, against more than 25 vaccine-preventable diseases.
This is commendable and welcome development to our grate Nation Nigeria