Polio day and unanimity on way forward

At the Lagos event of October 24 where UNICEF commemorated the World Polio Day, the target was supposed to be aimed at stamping out polio from the Nigerian firmament through a collective effort. But the day turned out to be one when a total war was also declared on measles and other preventable diseases afflicting children in the country.

It was a gathering of who-is-who among music stars and celebrity actors from across west and central Africa who had collaborated to release a new song titled “No more zero dose” to help drive childhood immunisation into people’s consciousness.

UNICEF champions in Nigeria, who have for several years used their vast influence to bring immunisation to even the remotest parts of the country, were not left out at the event. Cobhams Asuquo, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo, WAJE, Qing Madi and Sekouba Bambino combined on the day to help put the message across that every child deserves to be protected by vaccines, even as they stressed the urgent need to reach zero-dose children that have not received any vaccinations with the ultimate target of protecting them from all preventable diseases.

Research has shown that west and central Africa record the lowest immunisation coverage in the world. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) coverage for both regions was 69 per cent in 2023, down from 72 per cent in 2019. This is in addition to the regions recording multiple vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, including polio, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever, in recent years.

Reports about 48 hours before this year’s World Polio Day was marked showed 138 polio cases in Africa, with nearly half of the infected children from Nigeria. Also in 2023, there were 506 polio cases in Africa. About 116 children have also been affected by polio in west and central Africa this year, with outbreaks of the variant poliovirus recorded in Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, DR Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria in 2024.

With nearly 4.3 million children across the two regions not receiving vital vaccines, it was without doubt that the artists’ efforts aimed at preaching action through music, especially in fusing vibrant sounds with the message of hope, love and protection to inspire listeners to join the movement to protect the children’s future.

Instructively, UNICEF’s Regionally Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, said at the Lagos event: “Zero-dose children are the most vulnerable and ensuring they receive life-saving vaccines is critical for their future. This song amplifies that message. We can and must reach every child and eradicate polio.”

Fagninou also stressed the world body’s total commitment to putting words into action: “UNICEF is committed to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.”

Cobhams Asuquo, a Nigerian music producer who spearheaded the collaboration of the launch song and one of UNICEF’s champions, also said he and his colleagues are equal to the task: “As a UNICEF champion, I urge everyone to join us in the fight against all preventable diseases in Nigeria. Together, we have the power to protect every child’s future and eradicate these diseases for good. Let us work to ensure that the children receive the vital vaccines they deserve, protecting their future and our world. I also call on all Nigerians to join with us in this mission so that together with others we can spread hope and health across Africa.”

For UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative. Cristian Munduate, the latest event could not have come at a more auspicious time: “This project is significant for Nigeria, especially for the fact that it is a country still facing a high number of under-vaccinated children. The release of the ‘No More Zero Dose’ song featuring talented artists from across west and central Africa reflects the deep commitment to ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines. So, through this collaboration, we are amplifying the message that no child should be missed in the vaccination drive.”

All participants at the Lagos event were unanimous that although huge progress has been made in child vaccination in Nigeria over the years, the fight to end zero-dose cases must have no end.