The Importance of Immunization in Nigeria - 2171 Words

Immunization is one of the most successful, cost-effective public health prevention strategies averting an estimated 2-3 million global deaths annually (UNICEF 2013). Although immunization is safe and easily accessible, global under-five mortality due to vaccine-preventable diseases remains unacceptably high. It has been shown that children who receive all appropriate vaccinations by 9 months of age are less likely to die than those who do not. (Rutherford et al. 2009). Vaccine-preventable deaths account for 29% of deaths worldwide in children under five, and in 2011, 1.5 million children died from vaccine-preventable diseases. (UNICEF 2013). In Nigeria, vaccine-preventable deaths account for 22% of deaths in children, or 200,000 deaths per year (USAID 2009). Immunization has led to the eradication of small-pox and also to the elimination of polio in most countries, with polio being endemic in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan (UNICEF 2013). The contributions made by immunizations are crucial to achieving MDG 4 (reduction of under-five mortality by two-thirds in 2015). BACKGROUND Modern Nigeria was formed in 1914 when the British amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Nigeria is in West Africa, located between longitudes 3 and 14 degrees, and latitudes 4 and 14 degrees.(Nigeria High Commission, London, UK 2014) .It shares borders with the Republics of Niger and Tchad (North), Republic of Benin (West), Cameroon (East) and the Atlantic Ocean (South). It hasShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Polio1371 Words   |  6 Pagespolio endemic countries from 20 to 10 countries between the year 2000 and 2001. By the year 2005, monovalent oral live vaccines where introduced and progress was made in eradicating polio from West Africa and Central Africa, with the exception of Nigeria. A further three countries, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were still classed as polio endemic and 10 countries reported imported polio virus infections. There are three serologic (antigenic) types of poliovirus, with little cross reaction betweenRead MoreA Brief Look at Polio1848 Words   |  7 PagesPolio, cases have reduced by approximately 99% since 1988 when about 350,000 cases were reported to an estimated 406 cases in 2013. (WHO Fact sheet No 114, March 2014) As at April 2014, polio is only endemic in 3 countries namely: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Polio used to be endemic in India until recently marking the end of polio in Southeast Asia. But lately it has been discovered that polio is becoming re-endemic in formerly polio-free countries like Angola, Chad and Democratic RepublicRead MoreTaking a Look at Poliomyelitis1689 Words   |  7 Pages In the 20th century it was one of the most feared diseases in some countries paralysing most of their children’s every year. Soon after then, vaccines were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1970s, routine immunization was introduced worldwide as part of the nation al immunization programmes which has really helped in controlling the disease in many countries. In 1988, global polio eradication initiative started and this polio paralyzed more than 1000 children worldwide. Since thenRead MoreA Brief Look at Poliomyelitis1287 Words   |  5 Pagescampaign. There are challenges in recent years because the polio virus has re-emerged in places like Syria, Cameroun, Pakistan and Nigeria among others. In a CNN cable television report the cases of polio in Syria in particular is alarming, there are 100s of new polio cases due to failure of the health system because of a raging civil, sectarian war. The case of Pakistan and Nigeria are of religious extremism where they belief the vaccines are causing harm to their children. These are challenges faced withRead MoreOutline1355 Words   |  6 Pagesa scope of genuine and possibly deadly diseases. Immunizations are brisk, safe and greatly powerful. Once your child has got vaccinated against an infection, their body can battle it all the more effectively. In the event, that a child is not v accinated, they will have an expanded danger of getting the illness. B. Immunization is as essential for adults as it is for children, but then numerous adults are not ideally vaccinated. Immunizations emulate the virus so as to anticipate disease byRead MoreThe United Nations Children s Fund ( Unicef ) And The World Health Organization1447 Words   |  6 Pagesprotecting child health by ensuring adequate nutrition and hygiene, prevention of pneumonia by immunization against causative pathogens, reducing indoor air pollution and optimizing access to prompt treatment of pneumonia1-3. The World Health Organization has recommended inclusion of vaccines against pneumonia causative pathogens, Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenzae type b, in routine national immunization programs particularly in countries with high under-five pneumonia deaths, defined asRead MoreThe Development Goals Of The United Nation s Children Fund1980 Words   |  8 PagesSummary Every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five year olds ranking the country as the second largest contributor to the under–five in the world. United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) reports that â€Å"although analyses of recent trends show that the country is making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing child mortality by a third by 2015†, but that â€Å"the tragedy behindRead MoreThe Millennium Development Goals : A Global Vision For The Future1447 Words   |  6 Pagespublic. With the MDGs’ expiration date of 2015 fast approaching, the world community is focusing on the development of a post-2015 agenda. This paper seeks to contribute to this process by highlighting the main strengths and weaknesses of the MDGs in Nigeria and Haiti, deriving the lessons that can be learned from almost 15 years of experience with the MDGs. Building on these lessons, the paper suggests different ways of how they could inform and enrich the process towards the formulation of a new developmentRead MoreThe Effects Of Polio Worldwide On The Wellbeing Of People And Reducing Health Inequalities3001 Words   |  13 Pagesthat what it actually means (Dinham, 2007). The best definition of wellbeing is given by Wilcock as an individual s physical, mental, social, and environmental status with each aspect interacting with the other and each having differing levels of importance and impact according to each individual (Wilcock et al; 1998). Polio as an important health issue in Pakistan: Introduction to polio: Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease mainly affecting young children. The poliomyelitisRead MoreVaccination Prevention And Its Effect On The Human Body1788 Words   |  8 PagesRegion is declared polio polio-free, n.d.). Ideally we would love to eradicate all diseases, it just not has happened yet. Until we find the answer, vaccinations will greatly reduce the burden of infectious diseases. Vaccination is given utmost importance in programs to eliminate measles and rubella in the European region. The elimination of these infections – is an indisputable success of humanity in its relationship with the outside world. Although vaccinations are one of medicines greatest achievements