As the world commemorates the 2025 edition of World Immunization Week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced a staggering achievement: over 154 million lives have been saved through vaccines in the last 50 years. This revelation was made during a media dialogue held in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria, as part of activities to mark the global event.
Speaking at the forum, Juliet Chiluwe, the Chief of UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, described immunization as "one of humanity’s greatest achievements," emphasizing that vaccines have not only saved lives but have prevented lifelong disability, reduced healthcare costs, and bolstered public health systems across continents.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” underscores the call for inclusive access to vaccines, particularly for children in remote and underserved communities. Chiluwe revealed that as part of this year’s campaign, UNICEF is supporting mass vaccination drives in twelve states across Nigeria, focusing on areas with low immunization coverage and high vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases.
She urged governments at all levels, civil society groups, healthcare workers, and the media to sustain the momentum in advocacy and service delivery. “Every child deserves a shot at life,” Chiluwe said, “and vaccines are their first defense against deadly diseases. We must do more to reach the last child in the last mile.”
UNICEF noted that although Nigeria has made progress in childhood immunization, gaps still persist—especially in hard-to-reach rural communities and conflict-affected regions where access to healthcare is severely limited. These areas, according to experts, are breeding grounds for outbreaks of measles, polio, yellow fever, and other preventable illnesses.
With over 154 million lives saved globally, and millions more protected each year, vaccines remain a central pillar of global health equity. The Enugu dialogue brought together journalists, health workers, development partners, and state officials to strategize on boosting public trust in immunization, combating vaccine misinformation, and strengthening cold chain systems to ensure the safe delivery of vaccines.
As the world continues to face emerging health threats and new variants of infectious diseases, UNICEF’s message remains clear: immunization is not just possible—it is essential, lifesaving, and a right that must be guaranteed for every child, everywhere.