Nigeria Expands Yellow Fever Vaccinations

The World Health Organization recently confirmed 34 countries in Africa have regions endemic to yellow fever. While Nigeria's yellow fever epidemic continues to impact most areas of the country, positive, preventive actions are taking place.

The Permanent Secretary in Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mohammed Ghuluze, confirmed the Government is launching an Integrated Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign in three of the 27 areas.

As of July 12 and ending July 23, 2023, the areas of Jere, MMC, and Ngala in Borno would begin administering yellow fever vaccinations.

"The Vaccination will be conducted at Health facilities and temporarily fixed posts located within the communities aimed to provide preventive measures against yellow fever," Ghuluze announced in a local media report on July 10, 2023.

"The targeted age group for the yellow fever vaccine is individuals ranging from 9 months to 44 years old."

The permanent secretary explained that yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Nigeria first reported a yellow fever outbreak in November 2020.

In 2022, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported yellow fever outbreaks in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu).

The U.S. CDC issued a Travel Health Advisory for Nigeria to alert international travelers.

Since there are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever, vaccination is the best protection against this disease.

The CDC recommends that all travelers nine months or older going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least ten days before travel. A signed and stamped International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis ("Yellow Card") provides proof of vaccination.