The Lagos State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], on Wednesday, sought the support of the media to boost the immunisation of children in the country.

The two institutions emphasised that the target could only be met with the support of the media.

Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, and Mr. Ayoade Shoboyejo, who is the Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Focal Person of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board [LSPHCB], made the call during the ongoing two-day media dialogue with some journalists in the Southwest and Edo States.

The dialogue, which has the theme: ”Achieving the Health Sector SDGs for over Two million Children at Risk of Death in Nigeria: A Media Dialogue to Enhance Routine Immunization and Reduce Zero Doze Children”, is being held at Patron Hotels, Sangotede, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

Lafoucriere, who spoke virtually said it was sad that 2.3 million children still have not received a vaccine in Nigeria.

To address the challenge, Lafoucriere said UNICEF is working with the governments and partners to achieve 15 per cent immunisation at the 100 prioritised local government areas across 18 states with the highest concentration of those zero dose children.

She disclosed that by 2025, more than 30 per cent would be added to the reduction.

The UNICEF chief said: “I am coming to you this morning with sad news. We still have a very pressing challenge in Nigeria where 2.3 million children still have received no vaccine at all.”

On his part, Shoboyejo said Lagos State is targeting 80 per cent of the state population on yellow fever vaccination from nine months to 44 years.

He said: “We are targeting 80 per cent of Lagos State population. This exercise is very important. We are expected to cover about 80 per cent of the entire population in Lagos State. It is a huge task for us. We want the media to help us amplify our voices to curb the misconception about vaccination”.

Also speaking, the Assistant Immunisation Programme Coordinator, LSPHCB, Dr. Adebayo Adeniji, called on the residents to embrace immunization. Adeniji pointed out that immunisation increased productivity and saved lives.