The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with Rubella Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to address measles crisis in Cameroon, Liberia and Nigeria in 2019.
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, while commemorating the world immunization week, said the outcome of the partnership includes
negotiating vaccine prices which aims at reducing the cost of the measles vaccine and helping countries identify underserved areas and unreached children.
She said “We are working with relevant countries to introduce the second dose of the measles vaccine in the national immunization schedule. Cameroon, Liberia and Nigeria are on track to do so in 2019″.
She explained that the world Immunization Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
“Other areas of partnership include in procuring vaccines and other immunization supplies; Supporting supplementary vaccination campaigns to address gaps in routine immunization coverage”.
She said that efforts have been made to introducing innovations like the use of solar power and mobile technologies to maintain vaccines at the right temperature.
“Measles is far too contagious, It is critical not only to increase coverage but also to sustain vaccination rates at the right doses to create an umbrella of immunity for everyone”, she said.
Cynthia Egboboh
