71% of Borno children yet to get polio vaccination- UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that approximately 71.5% of children in Borno State remain unvaccinated against polio.

Dr. Gerida Birukila, the Chief of UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office, made this announcement on Thursday during the launch of the #No More Zero-Dose song, part of the activities for World Polio Day 2024 in Maiduguri.

Birukila noted that Borno has achieved only 28.5% coverage of fully vaccinated children with essential antigens. “According to the NDHS 2023 data, while 28.5% of children in Borno are fully vaccinated, 21.2% have received no vaccinations at all. We need to reach at least 85% vaccination coverage, but currently, only about 28% are fully immunized,” she stated.

She identified the local government areas in Borno with zero-dose children as MMC, Mafa, Konduga, Jere, Gubio, Monguno, Ngala, and Damboa.

To support the vaccination initiative, UNICEF launched the song “No More Zero-Dose,” featuring artists such as Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Timi Dakolo, and others. The song emphasizes the importance of protecting children against polio, measles, tetanus, and other serious infections. A Hausa version, narrated by the well-known actor Ali Nuhu, is expected to resonate with the community and encourage higher vaccination rates in the Northeast.

Birukila highlighted UNICEF’s ongoing advocacy for increased funding for health and immunization efforts. “We have collaborated with the government and partners on focused Zero-Dose interventions in prioritized local government areas. We have also engaged with traditional and religious leaders to ensure vaccine availability across all 27 local government areas, with no stockouts reported for any vaccines,” she emphasized.