The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has said that the introduction of the Rotavirus Vaccine has provided the opportunity to reduce the number of children dying every day from diarrhoea disease caused by rotavirus.

Mulombo made this known on Monday at the 72nd session of WHO regional committee for Africa, 2022.

In his speech, the WHO Country Representative said: “The public health impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction has been demonstrated in several countries with as much as 50% deaths from diarrhoeal diseases averted in some.

“The introduction should be part of a comprehensive strategy to control diarrhoeal diseases with the scaling up of both preventive and treatment packages

“Nigeria, being one of the four countries that harbor approximately half the global burden stands to have enormous gains from the economic impact of this introduction.

“Immunization remains the most cost-effective public health intervention.”

Mulombo urged Nigeria to continue to implement these strategies to address gaps in immunization through the life course and prevent deaths.

He commended the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria for keeping immunization high on the national agenda.

He said this is also in keeping with the UN Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health of ending preventable deaths and ensuring health and wellbeing.

“If we stop vaccination, deadly diseases will return, and when people are not vaccinated, infectious diseases that have become uncommon can quickly return.

“Unfortunately, the benefits of immunization are unevenly shared. The immunization agenda 2030 and the GAVI 5.0 strategy seeks to address this gap by “Leaving no one behind with immunization,” Mulombo said.

He emphasised that immunization is the right of every Nigerian child, saying: “The investments in promoting immunization through the life course as also demonstrated by the progress in the COVID-19 vaccination is commendable.”

The theme of this year's African Vaccination Week is ‘Long Life for All’. It provides an opportunity to increase awareness on the importance and values of immunization and its life saving potential.

Noting that the one-week event to mark the 2022 African Vaccination Week will bring the message of immunization to all households and communities among other activities, Mulombo assured of WHO’s continued commitment to provide technical support to the introduction of the Rotavirus Vaccine into the Nigeria’s Routine Immunization Schedule and other health interventions.

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