WHO to vaccinate nearly 874,000 amid yellow fever outbreak

An outbreak of yellow fever has prompted the WHO and the Nigerian government to vaccinate 873,837 individuals between the ages of 9 months and 45 years, according to a press release issued by WHO.

The first case of yellow fever related to this outbreak was reported on Sept. 12. Before this case, the most recent outbreak of the disease in this area occurred in 2002 and included 20 cases and 11 deaths.

“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,” Wondimagegnehu Alemu, MD, MPH, TM, WHO Nigeria representative, said in a press release.

The vaccination campaign began on Friday, Oct. 13, and will last for 10 days. During this process, more than 200 health workers and volunteers will distribute vaccines to residents of nine local government areas located in Kwara State and two in Kogi State. WHO has placed experts throughout the country to assist in surveillance and investigation efforts, lab testing, public health measures and engagement with at-risk communities. Additionally, WHO has started an Emergency Operations Center to facilitate coordination efforts.

Nigeria’s access to vaccines for this initiative is supported by the International Coordination Group. The vaccines used in the campaign will be sourced from a global stockpile of 6 million doses of immunizations for yellow fever that all countries can access through the assistance of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. – by Katherine Bortz

Resource: WHO supports the immunization of 847 000 people against yellow fever in Nigeria