UNICEF urges immunisation access for hard-to-reach, insecure communities
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged government and partners to prioritise immunisation access for children living in hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities in Kaduna State. The call was made at the inauguration of the Direct Delivery of Routine Immunisation Vaccines and other Primary Health Care (PHC) Commodities for Equity (DRIVE) Initiative in Kaduna. Speaking […]
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged government and partners to prioritise immunisation access for children living in hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities in Kaduna State.
The call was made at the inauguration of the Direct Delivery of Routine Immunisation Vaccines and other Primary Health Care (PHC) Commodities for Equity (DRIVE) Initiative in Kaduna.
Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kaduna, Dr Gerida Birukila, said deliberate strategies must be adopted to reach zero-dose children, particularly those in remote settlements and areas affected by insecurity.
According to her, while improving vaccine logistics is critical, equal attention must be paid to ensuring safe access to vulnerable communities and protecting health infrastructure.
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She noted that a single solar-powered vaccine refrigerator costs about 7,000 dollars, warning that vandalism and poor community ownership could undermine immunisation efforts.
The DRIVE initiative is led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF and implemented in partnership with the Kaduna State Government through the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Development partners supporting the programme include Gavi, World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Transborder Logistics, Solina Foundation and New Incentives.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Abubakar Idris, described the initiative as a strategic reform aimed at addressing vaccine stock-outs, distribution delays and inequitable access.
She said the administration of Gov. Uba Sani remained committed to strengthening primary healthcare, maternal and child health, immunisation and universal health coverage.
Ahmed explained that the direct delivery system would move vaccines from state cold stores straight to health facilities, strengthening last-mile systems and ensuring timely availability at service points.
Also speaking, the Director of Logistics at the NPHCDA, Ms Hauwa Tense, said Nigeria’s 2021 Effective Vaccine Management assessment revealed gaps in distribution at facility level, highlighting the need to improve last-mile delivery.
She added that the initiative introduces structured financing and performance-based accountability to reduce stock-outs and missed immunisation sessions.
Stakeholders at the event stressed that routine immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and called for sustained collaboration to ensure that children in insecure and underserved communities are not left behind.