• The lifesaving legacy of vaccines
By Doris Obinna
Vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Since 1974, they have saved 154 million lives, that is; more than three million lives a year or six people every minute for five decades.
In the same period, vaccination has reduced infant deaths by 40 per cent and more children now live to see their first birthday and beyond than at any other time in human history. Measles vaccine alone accounts for 60 per cent of those lies saved.
World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of every April, promotes the life-saving power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.
In observance of the World Immunization Week and Polio Week, tLagos State Government, in collaboration with United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), flagged off “Walk for Polio” and National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs).
The immunization week held under the theme, “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives through Immunization,” which included a symbolic “Walk for Polio,” was flagged off by wife of the governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
She stated that the theme was to further amplify the urgent message of preventing vaccine-preventable diseases and eliminating polio: “We cannot and must not allow any child in Lagos State to be left vulnerable to this preventable disease. Immunization is not a privilege, it is a right.”
She reassured residents that Lagos State remains fully committed to the “leave no child behind” principle in its healthcare delivery efforts: “Lagos State implemented the NIPDs in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners such as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“During the exercise, children aged 0 to 59 months will receive free oral polio vaccines in a door-to-door campaign covering homes, schools, markets, and public spaces.”
She issued strong appeal to parents, caregivers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and youth groups to actively participate: “Your cooperation is crucial. This is a shared mission to protect our children.”
She warned against the dangers of vaccine misinformation and urged communities to promote accurate information and build trust: “Vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving.” She pledged continued advocacy and grassroots mobilization from her office.
Sanwo-Olu called for sustained political will and investment from all levels of government: “Let us make a collective pledge today: That no child in Lagos will suffer from a disease we can prevent. That we will reach the unreached, that we will end polio, once and for all.
“This event is a rallying point for healthcare professionals, government agencies, community leaders, and the public, to reinforce the vision of a healthier, polio-free Lagos State.”
Renewed commitment
UNICEF’s Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, called for action to protect every Nigerian child from vaccine-preventable diseases: “To date, two million Nigerian children remain zero-dose or unimmunized. The goal of full immunization coverage is still far from being achieved.
“Since 1974, vaccines have saved over 150 million lives, translating to six lives every minute over the last 50 years.” She hailed vaccines as “extremely powerful” tools in the fight against deadly diseases. She credited global efforts with reducing polio cases by 99.9 per cent since 1988 and noted that the oral polio vaccine alone has helped prevent 24 million cases of paralysis: “The fight is not over.
“In Lagos, we are detecting a resurgence of polio. Routine immunization is Nigeria’s best hope. While vaccine availability has improved, many children still only receive vaccinations during limited campaigns. This is not sustainable. We urged for routine immunization to become the standard for every child born in Lagos.
“Despite the fact that vaccines are powerful, proven lifesavers, some parts of the population remain misinformed, believing in harmful rumours. We make a call for stronger routine immunization systems to be made possible through greater health education and awareness, so that no parent ever again in Nigeria will take the risk of leaving their child at risk of dying from preventable diseases.
“One unvaccinated child is a risk to all. But together, united, we can end zero dose, end polio, for good! Only with collective action, unwavering political support, and a united voice can Nigeria ensure every child is protected.”
Immunization for all is humanly possible
The World Health Organisation (WHO), insisted that vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements: “In these 50 years, vaccination accounts for 40 per cent of the improvement in infant survival, and more children now live to see their first birthday and beyond than at any other time in human history. Measles vaccine alone accounts for 60 per cent of those lives saved.
“There are more lives to be saved by building on these achievements. The future of immunization means not only reaching millions of children who have never received a single shot, but protecting grandparents from influenza, babies from malaria and RSV, pregnant mothers from tetanus, and young girls from HPV.
“We are at a watershed moment in the history of global health. Hard-won gains in stamping out diseases that are preventable through vaccination are in jeopardy. Decades of collaborative efforts between governments, aid agencies, scientists, healthcare workers, and parents got us to where we are today, a world where we’ve eradicated smallpox and almost eradicated polio.”
WHO’s Coordinator, Lagos State, Dr. Chinenye Okafor: “NIPDs campaign in Lagos State, coinciding with the ongoing African Vaccination Week and World Immunization Week emphasized the significant progress made in immunization coverage while highlighting areas that still require urgent attention.
“Lagos has not recorded any circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) since 2023, a milestone that underscores the effectiveness of the state’s disease surveillance and response mechanisms. WHO’s primary role in disease surveillance and environmental monitoring ensures we are confident that the virus is no longer circulating in Lagos.
“However, we must not relent. We still face challenges with reaching zero-dose children and those in hard-to-reach, riverine communities such as Mayore and Olugbokere, where there are no functional health facilities.”
“Immunization for all is humanly possible. We are calling on all stakeholders to help us ensure that no child is left behind.”
With 376 WHO volunteers deployed across all wards in Lagos, the organization reiterated its commitment to supporting state efforts and integrating vaccines into essential health services. The flag-off marked a renewed commitment to building a polio-free and vaccine-preventable disease-free society in Nigeria.