COVID-19: Setback for child immunisation as risk of vaccine-preventable diseases increases On Kindly Share This Story: COVID-19 has disrupted health services across the world but one major routine health service that had suffered a setback and disruption in Nigeria remains childhood immunisation. Findings show that many children under the age of 5 are not being immunised as and at when due. Sadly, without sustained routine immunisation, many children risk vaccine-preventable diseases that may lead to uncertain future and dire health prospects. Chioma Obinna writes The World Health Organisation, WHO, Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, recently identified routine immunisation as playing a vital role in improving child survival, and contributing to halving the death rate of children below 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa in the past 20 years.