The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says, Kebbi state is ranked among the highest malaria burden in Nigeria, with a prevalence rate of 49%, which is more than twice the national average.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Sokoto, Micheal Juma, stated this at the launce of the Rollout of malaria vaccine for children under five months in the state.
Represented by the Social Policy Specialist, Isah Ibrahim, said Nigeria also accounts for 31% of all malaria deaths across the globe, with about 200,000 deaths recorded every year in Nigeria (World Malaria Report 2023) with Children under the age of five years and women who are pregnant most affected by malaria.
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He said, UNICEF was delighted for the opportunity to be at the forefront in the procurement and delivery of the malaria vaccines to Nigeria with support from GAVI and remain committed in supporting adequate uptake of the vaccines through effective community engagement and logistics support and funds that have been released to the SPHCDA in this regard.
In a remark, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar, While flagging off the malaria vaccine rollout in Birnin Kebbi, explained that the malaria vaccine is a symbol of hope for the present administration in its commitment to improve the healthcare of children and that of other Kebbi indigenes.
He stated that, the vaccine is safe and urge parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated against malaria and also called on traditional rulers, religious and other community leaders to support the new initiative against malaria while commending the WHO, UNICEF and other partners for their support and intervention in the health sector of the state.