- Yellow fever occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America, where it is endemic and intermittently epidemic
- The risk of acquiring yellow fever is difficult to predict because of variations in ecologic determinants of virus transmission
- Nigeria is one of 50 partners pursuing the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy.
- WHO said the step of the campaign will run from 22 November to 1 December 2018 and will target children and adults
The federal government, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF, has kicked off the second phase of yellow fever campaign in the country as it targets 26.2 million people.
In a statement, WHO said the step of the campaign will run from 22 November to 1 December 2018 and will target children and adults in Plateau, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Borno states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said “Immunizing more than 26 million people is a massive undertaking. But this achievement will represent a huge step towards protecting people from the potentially deadly viral haemorrhagic disease not only in Nigeria but in the African region.”
He said to ensure this phase of the vaccination campaign runs smoothly, the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO with support from Gavi, has trained and deployed Management Support Teams (MST).
According to him, the MSTs are overseeing preparations in the run-up to the campaign and, in partnership with WHO yellow fever experts, will act as supervisors and provide technical assistance during the campaign itself.
The campaign is taking place as Nigeria experiences a yellow fever outbreak. Since its start in September 2017, confirmed cases have been recorded in 27 Local Government Areas across 14 states.
Nigeria is one of 50 partners pursuing the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy. Steered by WHO, Gavi and UNICEF, the strategy seeks to protect at-risk populations, prevent international spread and contain outbreaks rapidly.
As part of EYE, Nigeria has developed a 10-year strategic elimination plan to reduce the incidence of yellow fever epidemics and to vaccinate at least 80% of the target population in all states by 2026.
Gavi’s support for the campaign is part of its wider commitment to boosting Nigeria’s low immunisation coverage.
