Pressroom

Source: News-Medical.Net

04/16/2012

Despite progress made in recent years, Nigeria still accounts for one out of every eight child deaths across the globe, many from vaccine-preventable diseases. According to Decade of Vaccine Economics, more than 600,000 lives could be saved during the next decade and $17 billion added to the country’s economy if its vaccination rates for Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles, and pertussis are increased to 90 percent. High-impact solutions for financing, vaccine security, transportation, cold chain technology, performance management, advocacy, leadership, and demand creation intended to boost vaccine access have been issued by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Among other things, the “Landscape Analysis of Routine Immunization in Nigeria” proposes creating government basket funds for local vaccination programs, improving vaccine delivery from state cold stores to community clinics through transportation contracts and ongoing vehicle maintenance, making solar refrigeration and satellite cold storage units available, and boosting vaccine uptake through text message reminders and incentive programs. Dr. Orin Levine, IVAC executive director, notes that “the full promise of immunization and its economic benefits won’t be fully realized until vaccines reach every Nigerian child.”