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UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Diphtheria Outbreak in Nigeria, Urges Widespread Vaccination


UNICEF Nigeria has sounded the alarm over a diphtheria outbreak in the country that has claimed over 453 lives and led to more than 11,500 suspected cases, with over 7,000 confirmed cases, primarily affecting children.



In a press statement signed by Dr. Rownak Khan, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative, the organization highlighted the pressing need for widespread vaccination to combat the outbreak effectively. To respond to this crisis, UNICEF Nigeria urgently requires an additional $3.3 million in funding by year-end.

The statement emphasized that the majority of cases involve children aged between 4 and 15 years who have not received even a single dose of the essential vaccine, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive vaccination efforts in Nigeria.

UNICEF is actively supporting the Nigerian government's response to the outbreak, with a key component being the procurement of vaccines. To date, UNICEF has supplied 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states, including Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa. Among these, 4 million doses have been allocated to Kano, which serves as the epicenter of the outbreak. Additionally, UNICEF is procuring another 4 million doses of vaccines that will be handed over to the government in the coming weeks.

Dr. Rownak Khan emphasized the critical importance of vaccination in addressing this diphtheria outbreak, stating, "The devastating impact of this diphtheria outbreak is a grim reminder of the importance of vaccination. Nigeria is home to a staggering 2.2 million children who haven't received even a single dose of vaccine—the second-largest such cohort in the world. We must collectively take urgent actions to drastically reduce this number. Every child deserves protection from preventable diseases. This is not negotiable."

UNICEF Nigeria called upon partners, stakeholders, and the international community to unite in ensuring that every child in Nigeria receives life-saving vaccines. The organization stressed the significance of reinforcing routine immunization, community engagement, and health systems to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.


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