By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
As World Immunization Week 2025 unfolds under the banner “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office has mobilized an unprecedented coalition of media and health professionals to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.
At a landmark two-day media dialogue in Enugu, about 50 journalists and stakeholders from 12 states gathered to discuss the urgent need to boost vaccine uptake and dismantle barriers to immunization. The event, led by UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, highlighted the staggering impact of vaccines: over 154 million lives saved globally in the last 50 years.
Following the dialogue, select journalists embarked on field missions across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Delta, Imo, and Kogi states. Their mandate: to monitor immunization outreach, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities, and to provide real-time reporting on both progress and persistent challenges.
Despite decades of progress, Nigeria still faces a daunting challenge. With 2.1 million children-24% of those under one year-having never received a single vaccine, the country bears the world’s highest burden of “zero-dose” children. These children are at extreme risk of diseases like measles, tetanus, and diphtheria, especially in underserved or conflict-affected areas.
UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) have declared the identification and immunization of these zero-dose children a public health emergency, urging governments, communities, and partners to act collectively and decisively.
On the ground, health workers and parents are seeing the impact of renewed outreach. Dr. Gbanai Orukari, UNICEF SIO, underscores the personal and societal benefits of immunization:
“When you protect your children, it helps you in the long run as a mother and a family. Immunizing our children shields them from diseases. Children are especially vulnerable to illnesses like malaria, and vaccines help reduce sickness. We encourage everyone-even if you don’t have a child, your neighbor might. Ask: Have you given your child the vaccine? Protect every child around you. All hands must be on deck.”
At Zamara Primary Health Care Centre, Acting Chief Iberin Mabel Seiyefa reports a surge in demand for immunization and health education since her posting in February:
“Within these three months, turnout has been good. Sometimes, when health talks aren’t offered, mothers ask for them-‘Teach us, we want to know more.’ For the upcoming Polio Week, workers are on ground, the vaccine is here, and if it’s not enough, we’ll use drones to bring more.”
Mothers like Evidence Mathias and Joseph Martha echo this commitment, ensuring their children are immunized as soon as their turn arrives and following all medical advice.
UNICEF emphasizes that the media’s involvement is vital-not only to raise awareness but also to counter misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, which remain significant barriers. Journalists’ field reports are helping to bridge information gaps, spotlight local successes, and hold authorities accountable for reaching every last child.
World Immunization Week 2025 is more than a commemoration; it is a rallying cry. As Mrs. Chiluwe noted, “Immunization for all is not just possible-it is necessary.” The collaboration between UNICEF, health workers, journalists, and communities is a model for how collective action can drive change, save lives, and secure a healthier future for all Nigerian children.
“Let’s make sure that beyond awareness, we are here to support the government to make sure that the whole population is educated about health, educated to vaccines, and that there is not one single child unvaccinated in Nigeria.”
