Nigerian health authorities launch 10-day immunization effort against yellow fever outbreak

The Government of Nigeria recently announced the launch of a 10-day campaign aimed at immunizing 873,837 people against yellow fever in the states of Kwara and Kogi.

Beginning on Oct. 13, the effort mobilized more than 200 health workers and volunteers to immunize individuals between the ages of nine months and 45 years old.

In support of the initiative, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been working in tandem with Nigerian health authorities in local government areas throughout the affected states. WHO deployed disease experts in mid-September to assist in surveillance, investigation and outreach efforts for at-risk communities.

WHO also activated an emergency response center to help coordinate an interagency response.

“This campaign aims to ensure that people living in high-risk areas are protected from yellow fever and to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country,” WHO Nigeria representative Wondimagegnehu Alemu said.

Nigerian government officials recently requested assistance from the International Coordination Group for yellow fever vaccine provisions. Currently, a stockpile of more than 6 million vaccine doses is available for countries in need with support from the Vaccine Alliance.

The last outbreak of yellow fever to occur in Nigeria happened in 2002, resulting in a total of 20 cases and 11 deaths.