NIGERIA’S IMMUNISATION GAP

Nigeria faces a troubling contradiction in its immunisation efforts. Despite vaccines being available and services functioning, only around 62-63% of children are fully protected against diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough. This low coverage falls short of the 90% target, indicating that the national immunisation system needs improvement.

Routine immunisation, which aims to prevent disease before treatment is needed, has stalled, showing that the system is not as effective as it should be. When a child is fully immunised, primary healthcare works well, but missed vaccinations can lead to illness, hospitalization, lost income, and even death. Preventing these complications through vaccines is far more cost-effective than treating them after they occur.

While vaccine imports and supplies are moving, the challenge lies in ensuring the vaccines actually reach remote areas and that mothers can access the healthcare facilities when needed. Coverage improvements depend on following children through their full immunisation schedule, not just providing vaccines. Recent concerns about substandard auto-disable syringes have also eroded public trust.

The Nigerian Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) should investigate these allegations transparently and address any issues to restore confidence in the system. Counterfeit or substandard medical devices can seriously harm patients and undermine overall confidence in immunisation programs. To truly protect children, Nigeria must move beyond campaign-style vaccination and focus on routine, reliable immunisation services.

This means ensuring that children are reached, that they receive all necessary doses, and that every child completes the full immunisation schedule. This approach requires reliable staffing, good cold-chain systems, effective community outreach, accurate records, and tracking of children who miss vaccinations. By addressing both quality and coverage, Nigeria can move towards a stronger primary healthcare system that delivers prevention close to where people live.