UNICEF Nigeria has issued a grave warning regarding the dire need for widespread vaccination in response to the diphtheria outbreak that has resulted in over 453 deaths in the country.
The outbreak has caused more than 11,500 suspected cases, with over 7,000 confirmed cases, claiming the lives of primarily children. Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF’s Representative, emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially for children aged 4 to 15 years who have not received a single dose of the vital vaccine.
UNICEF highlighted the necessity of raising an additional US$3.3 million by the end of the year to respond effectively to the outbreak. The organization is actively supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat the outbreak, including procuring vaccines. To date, UNICEF has delivered 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states, including Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa. Among these, 4 million doses have been dispatched to Kano, the epicenter of the outbreak. An additional 4 million doses are in the process of procurement and will be supplied to the government in the coming weeks.
Dr. Rownak Khan stressed the critical importance of vaccination and expressed concern about the substantial number of Nigerian children—2.2 million—who have not received a single vaccine dose, ranking Nigeria second globally in this category. He emphasized the non-negotiable nature of ensuring every child’s protection from preventable diseases.
UNICEF Nigeria called upon partners, stakeholders, and the international community to join forces in reaching every child in Nigeria with life-saving vaccines. The organization underscored the need to strengthen routine immunization, community engagement, and health systems to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
