Thousands of children born in the last five years-and many more before them-have never had a single shot of measles vaccine in their lifetime, evidence shows.
They constitute what epidemiologists call “zero dose”-children who haven’t got a single dose of vaccine to build their immunity to measles.
They haven’t stopped the march of measles around the country. Outbreaks put together around the country indicate more than 12650 suspected cases have been reported this year alone, according to figures from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which coordinates immunisation programmes for the country.
“There are still children among those suspected or confirmed cases of measles,” said Dr Damaris Onwuka, the agency’s director of disease control and immunization.
“Over 63 percent are zero doses, which means they have never had any immunisation.”
More than 7,500 of the cases suspected to be measles have been confirmed as exactly that.
The disease, caused by a virus, is highly contagious, causing as much as 2.6 million deaths each year around the world as early as 1980.
Since then widespread vaccination has helped keep it in check, but it remains a leading cause of death among children, even safe and effective vaccines have since become available.
Onset of measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, all of which worsen with malnutrition. Complications can include ear infection, diarrh0ea, pneumonia, brain damage, and death. More than 145,700 died from the disease in 2013-mostly children under age five, the World Health Organisation said.
Missing where Countless Nigerian children still miss a chance to get immunised against measles.
Accelerated measles campaigns in the wake of past outbreaks have shown many children are not reached.
The last campaign to vaccinate millions of children in 2013 yielded poor coverage, health experts have said.
There is a worry. Epidemiologists usually consider it a problem when up to 10 percent of people who need the vaccine don’t get it.
In 2013, children missed exceeded the threshold 10 percent in the FCT, Kaduna, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto. Taraba and Benue tipped one point over the national average of 9 percent. Misses in Kebbi, Kano, Sokoto and Kaduna were labelled “non compliance” by field analysts, a reference to parents refusing vaccines for their children.
National coverage of measles vaccine when combined with oral polio vaccination did not exceed 70 percent between 2003 and 2010, in especially 27 states.
Most of the children missed are aged one to 2 ½ years. In most cases, the children were said to be absent, the fixed post-a health centre, or some other location where healthworkers can vaccinate children-was considered “too far”, or parents just were not aware of ongoing vaccination campaign.
“Too busy”
At least 9 percent didn’t know the time and place for immunisation, 6 percent had no awareness. In 4 percent of the cases, according to coverage survey, a vaccinator was absent, and in 2 percent, mothers were “too busy”.
Lack of information is surprisingly higher in the south, where 7 percent are “not aware”, compared with 5 percent in the north.
A fresh campaign starting next month hopes to overcome obstacles that have hampered previous campaigns.
At least 39 million children aged nine months to five years are the target. Vaccinators will not go house-to-house but use fixed posts-health clinics, a room in a traditional ruler’s home or civic centres-where parents can bring their children. They will also be able to explain to mothers to expect a little fever sometimes after the vaccination.
More than 52,000 fixed posts have been earmarked, many brought to within kilometres of homes to shorten distances families have to travel to get to health centres.
Children routinely get measles vaccination at age nine months as part of routine immunisation, but six out of every 100 do not get it. And the vaccine only offers 85% efficacy, meaning 15 out of every 100 immunised could still be exposed and require further vaccination.
“That’s why we are giving them a second chance, so that every child is protected,” said Onwuka.
A first phase of the latest stand-alone measles vaccination will target children in 19 northern states and the FCT between Nov 21 and 25.
A second phase from January 28 to February 1 next year will target 17 southern states, said Dr Chinedu Okoronkwo of the agency.
The campaign will cost an estimated $45.5 million.
Around 10 percent of the entire campaign cost is borne by federal and state governments, together contributing $3.731 million to operational spending.
The rest, including purchase of vaccines and other materials said to have arrived the country last week, is paid for by international donors through the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative, GAVI.
By: Judd-Leonard Okafor
Daily Trust News
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