By Ify Obi
A Two- Day Multi Zonal Media Dialogue on 2025 World Immunization Week (WIM) has been organised by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at Enugu yesterday to kick start the World Immunization Week program
Declaring the week open with the Theme, ” Immunization for All is humanly possible “ open, the Chief of Field Office , UNICEF ,Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe ,called on the government at all levels to strengthen healthcare services and enlighten members of the public on the importance of immunization and vaccination.
She stated that the theme reaffirms the feasibility and necessity of protecting everyone, from newborns to the elderly, against vaccine-preventable diseases, through and equitable immunization services.
UNICEF according to her joins efforts with health care providers and governments to promote the values of immunization services as should, which entails getting to the last mile.
Speaking on the importance of immunization, the Chief of Field Office noted that the
Dialogue will not only help promote and provide quality immunization services to everyone, especially the children but will help show the world that Immunization for All is Humanly Possible and Vaccines remain one of humanity’s greatest achievements
She added that over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives. That’s 6 lives a minute, every day, for five decades. In the same period, vaccination has reduced infant deaths by 40%, and more children now live to see their first birthday and beyond, than at anytime in human history.
On UNICEF’s efforts so far in preventing diseases, Chiluwe said, “in all these years UNICEF, in partnership with the media as a reliable ally and other development partners, continued to provide strategic and operational support in areas which included advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM) ;Logistics and cold chain support: Infrastructure strengthening such as establishment of oxygen gas plants to strengthen health system in states and Routine Immunization Support.
She commended the state governments for their contribution that compliments UNICEF’s efforts and builds momentum on progress made so far by continuing to provide budgetary allocations to ensure they get to the last mile where every eligible child gets lifesaving vaccines to survive and reach their full potentials.
Earlier, the Communications Officer, UNICEF, Enugu, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe said the Immunization Week celebrated in the last week of April, aims to promote the life-saving power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. She described immunization as one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
According to her, this year’s theme,”Immunization for All is Humanly Possible”, aims to continue the “Humanly Possible” campaign with a future ; the importance of ensuring more people, especially children are vaccinated to reduce child- killer diseases, other contagious diseases and have a healthy people in a healthy society.
Presentations were made on “Immunization for All is humanly possible, Accessibility”, by Health specialists, UNICEF, Enugu, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, while Dr Olusoji Akinleye, Health Specialist UNICEF Field Office Enugu
delivered paper on Immunization for All is humanly possible, Availability.
The workshop was done for physical and virtual participants drawn from 12 States of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra,Bayelsa, Benue, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Delta, Imo, and Kogi, held in Enugu.